Tito Sotto

Vicente Castelo Sotto III (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈsɔtɔ]; born August 24, 1948), professionally known as Tito Sotto and also known as Tito Sen, is a Filipino politician, entertainer and athlete who served as Senate President from 2018 to 2022. Before that, he had two stints each as Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. He served a total of four terms in the Senate: 1992 to 2004 and 2010 to 2022, tying the record for the longest-serving Senator with Lorenzo Tañada and Franklin Drilon. In between his stints in the Senate, he led the Dangerous Drugs Board for a year. He became the Vice Mayor of Quezon City from 1988 to 1992, and later unsuccessfully ran for vice president in the 2022 elections as Panfilo Lacson's running mate.

Quick Facts The HonourableVicente "Tito" Sotto III, 23rd President of the Senate of the Philippines ...

The Honourable Vicente "Tito" Sotto III
Sotto in 2018
23rd President of the Senate of the Philippines
In office May 22, 2018 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Aquilino Pimentel III
Succeeded by	Juan Miguel Zubiri
Senate Majority Leader
In office July 25, 2016 – May 21, 2018
Preceded by	Alan Peter Cayetano
Succeeded by	Juan Miguel Zubiri
In office July 26, 2010 – July 22, 2013
Preceded by	Juan Miguel Zubiri
Succeeded by	Gregorio Honasan (acting)
Senate Minority Leader
In office July 28, 2014 – August 24, 2015
Preceded by	Juan Ponce Enrile
Succeeded by	Juan Ponce Enrile
In office June 3, 2002 – June 30, 2004
Preceded by	Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
Succeeded by	Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
Senator of the Philippines
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2022
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2004
Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board
In office July 2008 – November 2009
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Anselmo Avenido Jr.
Succeeded by	Antonio Villar Jr.
12th Vice Mayor of Quezon City
In office February 2, 1988 – January 1, 1992
Mayor	Brigido Simon, Jr.
Preceded by	Amado Zabala (OIC)
Succeeded by	Alicia Herrera (OIC)
Personal details
Born	Vicente Castelo Sotto III (1948-08-24) August 24, 1948 (age 75) Manila, Philippines
Political party	NPC (2007–present)
Other political affiliations	LDP (1988–2007)
Spouse	Helen Gamboa ​ (m. 1969)​ [1]
Children	4 (including Gian and Ciara)
Relatives	Sotto family
Residence(s)	Quezon City, Metro Manila Mansion
Alma mater	Colegio de San Juan de Letran (BA)
Signature
Nickname	Tito
Military service
Allegiance	Philippines
Branch/service	Philippine Army Philippine Constabulary
Years of service	2013–present (PAR) 1998–2013 (PCR)
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel Major
Commands	1502nd Infantry Brigade (Ready Reserve)
Musical career
Also known as	Tito Sen
Genres	OPM, Manila sound
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1960–1988
Sports career
Country	Philippines
Sport	Bowling
Medal record Representing  Philippines Men's Bowling Asian Games 1978 Bangkok Trios

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Beyond politics, Sotto is an accomplished songwriter, known for founding the iconic musical group VST & Co. alongside his brothers Vic and Val Sotto, which is considered one of the best Filipino bands of all-time and the "pioneer of the Manila sound".

In television, he is known as a co-host of Eat Bulaga!, the longest-running variety show in Philippine television history,^[2] and has appeared in numerous television shows and films as an actor. He is colloquially dubbed as "Tito Sen" by audience viewers.

As an athlete, Sotto was also a member of the Philippine national bowling team, representing the country several times at the AMF World Cup. He notably won a bronze medal in the 1978 Asian Games.^[2]