Sotto says he can help next president on anti-drug campaign, OFW issues (Sabong News)
Author
Hannah Torregoza
Date
MARCH 20 2022
Vice presidential candidate and Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he could help the next president address the country’s problem on illegal drugs, as well as lend his expertise on matters concerning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should he win in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
Sotto disclosed his intentions during the vice presidential debates organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday, saying he can be at the helm of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Dangerous Drugs Board to focus on boosting the government’s anti-drug campaign through supply and demand reduction.
“Dito sa problema na ito na sinasabi ko, hindi lang puwede ang supply-reduction strategy na ginagawa ng administrasyon. Kailangan palakasin mo ang (in this problem, as I said, the administration’s supply-reduction strategy won’t work. You need to strengthen) prevention and rehabilitation which is part of the demand reduction strategy,” Sotto said.
In terms of prevention, Sotto insisted the inclusion of a drug abuse resistance education program for Grades 5, 6 and 7 and the creation of a national sports program to help minors steer clear of illegal drug abuse.
Should he also win the vice presidency, Sotto said he would not be confined to the government’s anti-drug campaign, saying he can also take up foreign affairs issues as well.
“I will not be confined kung ako ay pakikinabangan ng aking Pangulo sa isyu ng (if the President deems I am fit to handle) Foreign Affairs. Lalo na ang bagong departamento na crineate namin (especially with the new department we created) which is the Department of Migrant Workers,” Sotto stressed.
“Palagay ko makakatulong ako ng malaki doon sa mga trabaho na yun at issues na yun (I believe I can help in this area greatly),” he said.
