Cebu City pays tribute to Don Vicente Sotto

WITH fake news prevalent in today’s information landscape, Cebu City paid tribute to Don Vicente Sotto who authored the Press Freedom Law.

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the City Government celebrated the legacy of Sotto, three days before his 148th birth anniversary.

The event started with a wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a short program at the Plaza Sugbu grounds.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, in his speech, said that Sotto’s contribution remains relevant and urgent up to date considering the prevalence of fake news.

“Our commemoration today of this great Cebuano and his contributions to press freedom could not be any more relevant to what is happening today. The countless barrage of fake news comes as a stark contrast to everything that Don Vicente Sotto has stood for,” said Garcia.

The Sotto Law protects journalists from being compelled to name their news sources.

“It is up to us to honor the legacy that Don Vicente Sotto left behind by continuing his fight for freedom and for the truth,” he added.

Aside from Garcia, present during the event were Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, North District Rep. Rachel Del Mar, and Cebu City Police Office Director Col. Enrico Figueroa.

Sotto’s grandson, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, was not able to join the ceremony.

Political career

Hontiveros, in his speech, said that Sotto’s legacy instills a reminder that public service is not merely a profession, but a calling.

“One that requires us to dedicate our talents, time, and hearts for the betterment of our community and our nation,” he said.

Sotto entered politics when he ran for the municipal council of Cebu and won. In 1907, he was elected mayor despite his absence during the election, owing to his involvement in a court battle caused by a kidnapping suit lodged against him by his opponent, and was forced to stay in Hong Kong. Sotto returned to the country in 1914.

In 1922, he was elected representative of the second district of Cebu. He held the post until 1925. In 1937, he ran for governor of Cebu but lost.

In May 1946, he ran for senator and won and served as chairman of the Senate committee on finance until 1950. / JPS