Sotto declares support for Poe

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III on Wednesday afternoon filed his candidacy for senator and said he will support Sen. Grace Poe in her presidential bid.

Sotto, a Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) member, submitted his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator accompanied by Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, United Nationalist Alliance's (UNA) vice presidential candidate.

Despite vowing to support Poe, Sotto said the NPC has yet to announce the official presidential candidate the party will support.

"I expect that but the official stand of the party will be announced in due time," Sotto said.

Sotto also explained that Honasan accompanying him every COC filing has already been a tradition.

"Lagi naman akong sinasamahan ni Sen. Honasan pag nagpa-file ako e, every time that I file. And in his case also, all the time na nagpa-file siya sinasamahan ko rin naman siya kaya lang this last time baka mamisinterpret dahil may candidate siyang kasama," Sotto said in a chance interview after he filed his COC.

Asked if Sotto's support is a conflict of interest with the Poe and Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero's tandem, he said they have already agreed upon it.

"We discussed the matter pinag-usapan namin ni Sen. Grace, Sen. Chiz, Sen. Honasan 'yan. Nag-usap na kaming apat. Nagkakaintindihan kami," Sotto said.

"Support is different from campaigning. That one, obvious 'yung aking relationship with Sen. Honasan; it's something that I have agreed already with Sen. Chiz," he said.

Sotto claimed he has perfect attendance with no late nor absences during his time at the Senate.

"I hope our countrymen will trust me again for 2016," Sotto said.

Sen. Tito Sotto is accompanied by wife Helen Gamboa and Sen. Gringo Honasan @PhilstarNews #PiliPINAS2015 pic.twitter.com/JCl7jocgxU

— Rosette Adel (@rosette_adel) October 14, 2015