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Tito Sotto

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Castelo and the surname or paternal family name is Sotto.
The Honourable
Vicente C. Sotto III
Sotto in 2018
29th President of the Senate of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 21, 2018
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byKoko Pimentel
Majority Floor Leader of the Senate of the Philippines
In office
July 25, 2016 – May 21, 2018
Preceded byAlan Peter Cayetano
Succeeded byJuan Miguel Zubiri
In office
July 26, 2010 – July 22, 2013
Preceded byJuan Miguel Zubiri
Succeeded byGregorio Honasan (Acting)
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2010
In office
June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2004
Minority Floor Leader of the Senate of the Philippines
Acting
In office
July 28, 2014 – August 24, 2015
Preceded byJuan Ponce Enrile
Succeeded byJuan Ponce Enrile
In office
June 3, 2002 – July 26, 2004
Preceded byAquilino Pimentel, Jr.
Succeeded byAquilino Pimentel, Jr.
Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board
In office
2008–2009
Preceded byAnselmo Avenido Jr.
Succeeded byAntonio Villar Jr.
Vice Mayor of Quezon City
In office
February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1992
Preceded byElmer Pormiento
Succeeded byCharito Planas
Personal details
Born
Vicente Castelo Sotto III

(1948-08-24) August 24, 1948 (age 76)
Manila, Philippines
Political partyNPC (2007–present)
UNA (2013–2015)
LDP (1987–2007)
SpouseHelen Gamboa
RelationsVic Sotto (brother)
Children4 (including Ciara)
Residence(s)Quezon City, Metro Manila
Alma materColegio de San Juan de Letran
Military service
Allegiance Philippines
Branch/servicePhilippine Army
Philippine Constabulary
Years of service2013–present (PAR)
1998–2013 (PCR)
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Major
CommandsG4, 1502IBDE, 15ID(RR)
Musical career
GenresOPM, Manila Sound
Occupation(s)Actor, singer, comedian, musician, TV host, politician
InstrumentVocals
Years active1960–present

Vicente "Tito" Castelo Sotto III (born August 24, 1948) is a Filipino politician and the 29th and current Senate President of the Philippines. Sotto served as Vice Mayor of Quezon City, the Philippines' most populous city, from 1988 to 1992. Following the 2016 elections, he is currently serving his fourth term in the Senate, having served two consecutive terms from 1992 to 2004; he was re-elected to the Senate in 2010.

Aside from politics, Sotto also participated in acting and hosting. Sotto is a co-host of Eat Bulaga!, the longest-running variety show in Philippine television history.[2] He is the brother of celebrities Vic Sotto, Val Sotto, and Maru Sotto; he is also a grandson and grandnephew of former Senators Vicente Y. Sotto and Filemon Sotto.

Early life and education

Vicente Castelo Sotto III was born on August 24, 1948.[2] His parents were Marcelino Antonio Ojeda Sotto and Dr. Herminia Castelo Sotto.[2] His siblings are Valmar (born 1946), Marvic Valentin (born 1954), and Marcelino Antonio Jr.[3]

Sotto's paternal grandfather and namesake was former senator Vicente Sotto (1877–1950). Vicente’s brother, Filemon (1872–1966) also served as a senator and was one of those who drafted the 1935 Constitution.[4][5]

Sotto studied at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila for his elementary, high school, and college education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English.[6]

Entertainment career

Sotto's career started in the 1960s when he joined the combo Tilt Down Men, one of the members is his brother Val. The band plays covers of The Dave Clark Five and later he became the vice president of Vicor Music Corporation. Vicor founder Orly Ilacad, had also a career in the 1960s like Sotto, Orly Ilacad & the Ramrods. In 1977 he was the vocalist for the short lived group Bluejeans. He wrote the music for "Balatkayo" by Anthony Castelo which was Castelo's hit. He also formed the Manila Sound group VST & Company on which the meaning of VST were his initials.[2] Among his notable compositions is "Magkaisa", which is recognized as one of the anthems of the 1986 People Power Revolution. [2]

Political career

Quezon City

Sotto was vice mayor of Quezon City from 1988 to 1992.[2] He founded the Vice-Mayors' League of the Philippines and served as its first president.[2] During this period, Sotto was also named Vice Chairman of Citizens' Drugwatch.[2]

First two terms in Senate (1992–2004)

Sotto was elected to the Senate of the Philippines in the 1992 senatorial election, topping the tally with nearly 12 million votes, more than 3 million more than his second place ranker.[2] This made him the third member of his family to enter the Senate, after his grandfather Vicente Yap Sotto and granduncle Filemon Sotto.[2] He served as Assistant Majority Floor Leader, was a member of the Commission on Appointments, and served as chairman on several senate committees. In the 1998 senatorial election, Sotto earned another term in the Senate with a third place finish, the best result among Senators vying for re-election.[2]

From April 30 to May 1, 2001, together with Juan Ponce Enrile, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson and Miriam Defensor Santiago, he led the EDSA III protests in support of Joseph Estrada.[7][8] On May 1, 2001, the protesters stormed Malacañang Palace.[8] In spite of this, he ran for another term in the Senate in 2007 under the TEAM Unity coalition backed by the Arroyo administration, but was unsuccessful, finishing in 19th place.[9]

Arroyo cabinet

Sotto was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a member of the Board of Directors and acting chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board on July 4, 2008, succeeding Anselmo Avenido whose term was expiring that day.[10] The appointment was just over one year after his failed 2007 senatorial bid. Philippine election laws forbid defeated candidates from being appointed to government posts within a year of the election.[10]

Third term in Senate (2010–2016)

Sotto won election to another term in the Philippine Senate in the 2010 senatorial election, as a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Upon the commencement of the 15th Congress on July 26, 2010, he was elected by the majority of his fellow Senators as the Majority Leader of the Senate as well as the Chairman of its Committee on Rules, thus he manages the legislative affairs of the Senate, particularly on the floor during the sessions. He was also one of the 20 Senators that voted to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona and to remove him from office on May 29 of that year.

Sotto in 2012

In 2012, Sotto was accused of plagiarizing several passages[11] in a speech opposing the Reproductive Health Bill[12] in the Philippine Senate.[13][14][15]

Several local and international news agencies and several internet users reported that Sotto had taken the passages from a 2011 blog entry by Sarah Pope,[16] an American home economist blogger. Sotto asserted that he was quoting Natasha Campbell-McBride, who was referenced in the blog post.[17][18]

Pope, upon learning of the controversy, confirmed Sotto's plagiarism on August 16, 2012[19] in another entry to her blog, strongly criticizing Sotto for the plagiarism, for denying it, and for his stance on contraceptives.[20] She also remarked that she did not intend to sue.[20]

Sotto's chief of staff, in a comment on Pope's blog, admitted to using the blog post and failing to attribute Pope's work.[21][22] Pope responded to the comment again criticizing Sotto's stance on the Reproductive Health Bill.[23]

On August 17, Sotto reasserted his defense saying: "I made a blanket disclosure. I mentioned beforehand my attributions, that I had many sources (of information in my speech) so I have admitted that. I have made a disclosure, so what’s their problem with that? They probably thought I’m trying to pass myself off as knowledgeable (on the subject) when in fact I’m not, supposedly, Where is the plagiarism there? They think that’s plagiarism. So come on, sue me."[24] Villacorta said he saw nothing wrong with using Pope’s blog without attribution because it "is public domain"[25] and "blogs are not covered by copyright.[15][25] It is a new media and there is no jurisprudence yet."[14][23][25][26][27][28][29] In an interview on the Philippine newscast 24 Oras, Sotto remarked:

"Whatever it is, the buck stops with me, I'm the senator. Whatever I delivered in the Senate Hall is what's important. Whatever they say, we'll take it in stride."[30]

Sotto also reiterated that his privilege speech under the protection of the Article 6 Section 11 of the Philippine Constitution — which states that "No member (of Congress) shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee thereof."[31][32] In an interview on the Philippine newscast The World Tonight, Pope remarked:

"He is acting as though he's above the law, that he is above copyright law, that he can do whatever he wants, he can step on whoever he wants, to get his agenda through the Philippine legislature. That's just wrong, that's very poor behavior. I hope the Filipino people take note of this behavior and subsequent denial on his bad behavior on the part of Senator Sotto. Think about this when they go to the election booths when he's up for reelection."[33]

A South China Morning Post journalist, Raissa Robles, also pointed out that Sotto plagiarized five bloggers and a briefing paper[34][35] — which includes a blog titled The Truth of Contraceptives,[36] a blog titled Feminists for Choice,[37] a blog titled Talking Sense by Marlon Ramirez,[38] a New York University blog publishing works by birth control activist Margaret Sanger,[39] and a briefing paper published by the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute.[40] Robles also remarked that Sotto would be championing digital piracy, she remarked: "Atty. Villacorta said that the Internet is free. (sic) This would mean that Senator Sotto would be championing digital piracy"[41]

Sotto in 2012.

On November 9, 2012, Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of late American senator Robert F. Kennedy and president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, wrote a public letter to Senator Sotto accusing him of flagrantly and deceptively plagiarizing the Robert F. Kennedy's 1966 Day of Affirmation speech in his remarks to the Philippine Senate last September 5, 2012.[42] Sotto has since issued an apology to the Kennedy family, but tenaciously refused to admit that he committed plagiarism in his speech. Sotto reasoned that the allegedly plagiarized passage was obtained from a text message sent by a Christian leader, which he then translated into Filipino as he found it fit for his speech without knowing that the words were Kennedy's. He also argued that he never claimed the ideas and words as his own, therefore he did not plagiarize.[43]

Sotto was one of the two senators who have inserted provision on libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or Anti-Cybercrime Law.[44] However, he denied that he did so in retaliation for the "cyberbullying" he received from Filipino netizens who criticized his alleged plagiarisms. Instead, he claimed that he intended to penalize those who release celebrity sex tapes and to allow the corresponding victims to seek redress.[45][46][47]

In July 2013, at the end of the 15th congress, Sotto resigned as the Majority Leader following the resignation of Juan Ponce Enrile, his staunch political mentor, as Senate President. Enrile resigned due to allegations of misusing the Senate funds. Then assistant majority leader Senator Gregorio Honasan became the acting Majority Leader following Sotto's resignation.[48]

On the commencement of the session of the 16th Congress, on July 22, 2013, Sotto became part of the new Senate minority group.[49] He was chosen by his colleagues in the minority to be the Deputy Floor Leader, second-in-command to Enrile who became the Minority Leader. On July 2014, following Enrile's arrest on charges of plunder relating to the pork barrel scam, Sotto became the acting Minority Floor Leader.[50] Enrile resumed his position as the Minority Floor Leader after he was granted bail by the Supreme Court in August 2015.[51]

In 2013, Sotto filed a bill that would mandate all government and non-government employees to receive a 14th month of annual salary.[52] Responding to the Department of Labor and Employment claims that the bill would worsen unemployment if implemented, Sotto said that the existing 13th month pay is not truly a bonus because there are actually 13 months in a year.[52] "There are 52 weeks in a year divide it by four weeks in a month. Thirteen months."[52]

Fourth term in Senate (2016–present)

Sotto in 2016.

Senator Sotto was re-elected in the 2016 elections. With 17.2 million votes, he finished in third place for the twelve contested senate seats.[53][54] On July 25, 2016, during the opening of the 17th Congress, Sotto was again elected as Majority Leader.[55] He was also elected as chairman of the Senate committee on rules and the Senate committee on ethics and privileges.[55][56][57] Being a member of the NPC, Sotto is part of the "supermajority" coalition led by the PDP–Laban, the political party of President Rodrigo Duterte and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.[55][58]

Sotto has expressed his support for the revival of the death penalty, but only for "high level drug trafficking".[59][60][61]

On May 3, 2017, during the Commission on Appointments' (CA) hearing on Judy Taguiwalo's appointment as Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, Sotto, a member of the CA, made controversial remarks which seemed to belittle Taguiwalo for being a single parent.[62][63][64][65][66]

An excerpt of his conversation with Taguiwalo during the televised hearing circulated online and drew criticisms from social media users:[62][63][64][65][66]

SOTTO: On the lighter side, Senator Drilon and I were looking at the personal information about you and you have two children, daughters ba or sons?

TAGUIWALO: Two daughters.

SOTTO: Two daughters. But you're single?

TAGUIWALO: My life has never been a normal one. I never had a whole father-mother-children kind of thing, except when I was growing up in Bacolod. Remember, I graduated from UP in 1970. I did organizing work. From 1972 up to the 1986, it has been life underground or in prison. So, well, my story would be different from the stories of those who have gone through UP, a corporation, et cetera.

SOTTO: Ah, in street language, when you have children and you’re single ang tawag diyan "na-ano lang". (we call that "just got knocked up")

[Soft laughter from the audience]

SOTTO: Thank you, you have my 100 percent support, madam secretary.

TAGUIWALO: Senator Sotto, I teach women's studies, so we respect all kinds of families and that includes solo parents. Thank you.[62][63][64][65][66][67]

One of Taguiwalo’s daughters demanded a public apology from Sotto over his offensive remarks, asserting that "no woman deserves that kind of treatment".[66] The Gabriela Women's Party also demanded for a public apology, claiming that Sotto "went out of bounds" insulting solo parents and insinuating malice at Taguiwalo.[65][63][68] The Commission on Human Rights condemned the event saying: "It is deplorable that such a comment came from an elected senator and that it elicited laughter from the halls of the Congress. The incident shows how those charged by law to protect women from discrimination often forget and unwittingly become promoters of discrimination themselves".[69] A statement from the Philippine Commission on Women called the incident "a mockery of a woman’s circumstance as a solo parent as [the] status has nothing to do with her professional qualifications."[69] Representatives Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers Partylist) and Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis) deprecated the behavior of their colleagues in Congress for tolerating Sotto's remarks.[69] Filipino netizens also criticized Sotto, who became a trending topic on Twitter that day.[62][64][70] Some social media users even reminded him that his daughter, Ciara Sotto, is also a single mother.[71] Singer-actress Lea Salonga, who was single-handedly raised by her mother, decried Sotto's remarks. Celebrity single mothers Pokwang, LJ Reyes, Geneva Cruz, and Claudine Barretto also denounced Sotto's remarks and expressed support for their fellow single mothers.[72][73]

In an interview after the hearing, Sotto apologized and claimed that Taguiwalo was not offended by his remarks. He reasoned that perhaps people were just "overly sensitive" and did not "understand the joke".[63][67][74][75] He also added:

"I will be the last person in this country to disrespect a woman because my mother was one of the founders of the Women's Rights Movement … I have two daughters who are separated, single, and have children so I don’t think there should be big fuss about it."[63][67][75]

On May 4, Secretary Judy Taguiwalo accepted Sotto's apology, but clarified that "the apology does not fully capture the extent of the gravity of what his 'joke' implied." She also asserted that despite accepting Sotto's apology, she will not tolerate misogyny, anti-women comments, and attacks towards solo parents. Taguiwalo also thanked Sotto for supporting her confirmation as DSWD secretary. She, however, also thanked those who expressed their condemnation of Sotto’s statements, and those who supported her and all solo parents.[76][77]

Despite Sotto’s apology, and Taguiwalo’s acceptance thereof, eight women's and workers’ groups filed an ethics complaint against the senator on May 10, 2017. Among these groups were Coalition Against Trafficking in Women - Asia Pacific and Partido ng Manggagawa. The said groups claimed that the aforementioned apology was insincere and that Sotto normalized patriarchal views and trivialized the abandonment of responsibility over children. The complaint was filed with the Senate committee on ethics and privileges, of which Sotto is the chairman. Sotto welcomed the complaint and declared his intention to go on leave from his committee as soon as he receives the complaint officially.[78][79][80]

On May 9, the Federation of Solo Parents in Luzvimin (FSPL) approached Senator Sotto in his office and requested his support for the passage of amendments to Republic Act No. 8972, or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000. These amendments included discounts on medicine, hospitalization fees, clothing, tuition, milk, and vitamins for solo parents and their children. In a statement, Sotto said that he is "ready and willing" to fight for the rights of single parents and assured the group that the amendments will be passed before December 2017.[81][82][83]

On August 7, 2017, Sotto filed a resolution for the Senate Blue Ribbon committee to investigate the alleged unexplained wealth of Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista.[84][85]

Political views and positions

Sotto has been described as a conservative by the local media[86][87][88][89][90] because of his positions regarding social issues, owing to his Roman Catholic background. He has vocally expressed his opposition against measures on reproductive health and women's rights.[91][92]

Sotto supports the Death Penalty, In 2018 he said he will support the imposition of death penalty for “high-level drug trafficking.”[93]

Controversies

Issues surrounding the Pepsi Paloma rape case

In 1982, the 15-year old actress Pepsi Paloma accused Sotto's brother Vic Sotto and comedians Joey de Leon and Richie D'Horsie of gang raping and taking photos of her on June 21 in a room at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City.[94] On July 31, dela Cruz lodged a formal complaint with Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile. On August 18, Paloma filed charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness against the three television personalities before the Quezon City fiscal's office.[95] The crime of rape at the time, carried the death penalty in the Philippines, and to prevent his brother and cohorts from being sent to the electric chair, Sotto quickly went to see Paloma while she was still securing the services of Atty. Rene Cayetano. According to Paloma, Sotto coerced her into signing an "Affidavit of Desistance" to drop the rape charges against his brother and cohorts[96] -- Sotto had allegedly placed a pistol on the table in front of Paloma when he went to talk to her.[97]

In exchange for the dismissal of the charges of rape, Vic Sotto, de Leon and D'Horsie issued a public apology towards Paloma stating:

"We hope that you will not allow the error we have committed against you to stand as a stumbling block to that future which we all look forward to. We therefore ask you to find it in your heart to pardon us for the wrong which we have done against you."[98]

Three years later, Paloma was found dead in an apparent suicide.[99] Dela Cruz was murdered years later.[100]

On May 29, 2018, Sotto made a request to the online news site Inquirer.net to have the March 2014 articles by United States-based columnist Rodel Rodis removed: "The rape of Pepsi Paloma" and "Was Pepsi Paloma murdered?" which stated that he used his political connections to influence the outcome of the Pepsi Paloma rape case.[101] After 34 years, in March 2016, Sotto denied involvement in the Pepsi Palom rape case stating that it was a gimmick of Paloma's talent manager, Rey dela Cruz.[102]

In response, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) asked "Does he believe his status and authority as Senate President give him better chances of having the stories taken down?" [103]

On July 4, 2018, Inquirer.net took down the articles that Sotto had requested to be removed from their website.[104][105] The NUJP condemned the takedown and issued a statement calling it "one of the darkest days in the annals of Philippine journalism".[106]

As an unintended example of the Streisand effect, Sotto's takedown request of the Inquirer.net articles renewed public interest in the Paloma gang rape case.[107]

Personal life

Sotto is married to Helen Gamboa, a beauty queen, actress, and singer.[2][3] They have four children: Romina, Diorella Maria, Gian Carlo and Ciara; eight grandsons: Romino Vicente, Victorio, Vicente IV, Carlos Edrigu, Alessandro Jose, Marciano, Juan Rossano, and Vincenzo Jose; and two granddaughters: Helena and Amaria Jiliana.[2][3]

Actors Oyo Boy Sotto and Miko Sotto (1982–2003) are his nephews. Actress Danica Sotto is his niece. Radio-television personality Ali Sotto is the former wife his brother, Maru.[3] Singer-actress Sharon Cuneta is also his niece (her mother, Elaine Gamboa, is a sister of Sotto’s wife, Helen Gamboa).[108]

In the 2016 elections, his son Gian Carlo was elected councilor of Quezon City's 3rd District, while his daughter Diorella Maria was elected in the 6th District of the same city. His nephews Vico Sotto and Viktor Eriko "Wahoo" Sotto were elected councilors in Pasig and Parañaque respectively.[109]

He is an avid bowler and was a member of the Philippine national bowling team, representing the country several times at the AMF World Cup.[2] Presently, he is the chairman of the Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF).[110]

He also plays golf and has won several tournaments.[2] He is Catholic.[6]

Filmography

TV shows

Year Title Role Network
1994–2000 Brigada Siete Host/Anchor GMA Network
1994–1997 Mixed N.U.T.S. (Numero Unong Terrific Show!) Various
1994–1995 Rock and Roll 2000 Himself ABC
1992–1993 TVJ on 5 Various ABC (now TV5)
1991–1993 TVJ: Television Jesters Various IBC
1987 Hapi House IBC
1979–present (appeared on special occasions only) Eat Bulaga! Host RPN (1979–1989); ABS-CBN (1989–1995); GMA Network (1995–present)
1978–1990 Iskul Bukol Tito Escalera IBC
1976–1977 Student Canteen Host GMA Network
1975–1976 Discorama Host

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Vicente C. Sotto III". senate.gov.ph. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d "Kapamilya Tree: The Sotto Family". ABS-CBN.com. ABS-CBN. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  4. ^ Oaminal, Clarence Paul (July 27, 2014). "Don Vicente Sotto St., Cebu City". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 19, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ Oaminal, Clarence Paul (March 21, 2014). "Filemon Sotto Drive, Cebu City". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 19, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b "Resume of Senator Vicente C. Sotto III". senate.gov.ph. Senate of the Philippines. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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  9. ^ "May 14, 2007 National and Local Elections National Tally Sheet". comelec.gov.ph. Commission on Elections. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  10. ^ a b Mark Meruenas (July 4, 2008). "Former Sen. Sotto named acting DDB chief". gmanews.tv. GMA News and Public Affairs. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  11. ^ Alfredo, Melgar (August 15, 2012). "Sotto's Reckless Method of Legislation is Inexcusable". Filipino Freethinkers. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  12. ^ "Speech of Senator Tito Sotto on the RH Bill, Part 1". GMA News. GMA Network. August 16, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
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  19. ^ "Blogger can't believe work was plagiarized". ABS-CBN. August 16, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  20. ^ a b "Blogger confirms Sotto 'plagiarism'". Rappler.com. August 16, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  21. ^ "Sotto's staff admits plagiarizing blogger". Rappler.com. August 16, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  22. ^ Malig, Jojo (August 16, 2012). "Sotto's office admits copying US blog". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  23. ^ a b Sanchez, Rowena Joy (August 17, 2012). "Sotto's Chief Of Staff Owns Up To 'Using' Blogger's Entry". Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  24. ^ "Sotto dares bloggers: Sue me". The Daily Tribune. The Daily Tribune Publishing. August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  25. ^ a b c Teeves, Oliver (August 17, 2012). "US blogger accuses Filipino senator of plagiarism". Associated Press. hosted by Google News. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  26. ^ "US blogger accuses Filipino senator of plagiarism". The Guardian. London: Guardian Media Group. August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  27. ^ "US blogger accuses Philippine senator of plagiarism in heated debate on contraceptives bill". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. August 17, 2012. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Sotto aide takes blame but denies plagiarism, says blogs meant to be share". GMA News. GMA Network. August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  29. ^ RG, Cruz (August 17, 2012). "Sotto immune from plagiarism raps, top aide says". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  30. ^ "Vic Sotto: We're all behind Tito". ABS-CBN. August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  31. ^ "Article VI: Legislative Department" . Constitution of the Philippines. 1987 – via Wikisource.
  32. ^ Esguerra, Christian (August 18, 2012). "US blogger accuses Sotto: 'Lying thief'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  33. ^ Malig, Jojo (August 18, 2012). "Sotto acting above the law, US blogger says". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  34. ^ Robles, Raisa (August 17, 2012). "UPDATE: Senator Sotto lifted from 5 bloggers and 1 briefing paper". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  35. ^ Robles, Raissa (August 17, 2012). "UPDATE: Senator Sotto lifted from 5 bloggers and 1 briefing paper". Inside Philippine politics and beyond. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  36. ^ "Case Study: The Use of Contraceptives Lowers the Number of Abortions". The Truth of Contraceptives. Blogger (Google Inc.). January 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  37. ^ "Gandhi's birth control of choice". Feminists for Choice. February 5, 2012. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ Ramirez, Marlon (September 20, 2008). "Re-imaging Life and Family: The Global Scandal". Talking Sense. Multiply. Archived from the original on August 21, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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Political offices
Preceded by
Elmer Pormiento
 Vice Mayor of Quezon City
1988–1992 		Succeeded by
Charito Planas
Preceded by Minority Floor Leader of the Senate of the Philippines
2002–2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Anselmo Avenido Jr.
 Chairman of Dangerous Drugs Board
2008–2009 		Succeeded by
Antonio Villar Jr.
Preceded by Majority Floor Leader of the Senate of the Philippines
2010–2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minority Floor Leader of the Senate of the Philippines
Acting
2014–2015 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Floor Leader of the Senate of the Philippines
2016–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the Senate of the Philippines
2018–present 		Incumbent
Order of precedence
Preceded byas Former President Order of Precedence of the Philippines
as President of the Senate of the Philippines 		Succeeded byas Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Lines of succession
Preceded byas Vice President Philippine presidential line of succession
as President of the Senate of the Philippines 		Succeeded byas Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Tito_Sotto&oldid=897457412"