Actress and singer Ciara Sotto earned praise from netizens after publicly expressing pride in her father, Tito Sotto, following his widely discussed role during the recent Senate walkout involving members of the minority bloc.
On Facebook, Ciara shared a post from the ‘Conservatives of the Philippines’ page that commended the veteran senator’s actions during the heated Senate session on May 26.
The post highlighted Sotto’s decision to remain in the plenary hall after members of the minority bloc staged a walkout amid disagreements over a proposed amendment that would allow senators to participate in sessions remotely.
According to the post, Sotto demonstrated his extensive knowledge of parliamentary procedure and Senate rules by moving to adjourn the session or call for a quorum check, effectively halting further discussions.
“Former Senate President Tito Sotto, whose haters often point out his background as a comedian to smear and belittle him, showed why he is a veteran senator. He is not just conservative when it comes to values and principles but also to institutional rules,” the post stated.
It further praised Sotto’s experience and mastery of Senate procedures, claiming that the longtime legislator had outmaneuvered lawyer-turned-senator Rodante Marcoleta during the exchange.
The post also cited Sotto’s lengthy political career, noting that he served alongside late senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile and remains one of the longest-serving senators in Philippine history.
Reacting to the praise directed at her father, Ciara reposted the content with a short but pointed caption: “Proud daughter of the comedian.”
The remark was interpreted by many as a response to critics who have repeatedly used Sotto’s entertainment background to question his qualifications as a lawmaker despite his decades of experience in public service, including multiple terms as Senate President.
The Senate dispute stemmed from a motion initiated by Alan Peter Cayetano regarding discussions on remote participation in Senate proceedings.
As tensions escalated, minority senators walked out of the session. Sotto then moved to adjourn the proceedings or conduct a quorum call, arguing that the motion took precedence under Senate rules.
“The motion to adjourn is not debatable. Akala ko ba magaling sa rules?” Sotto remarked during the exchange.
Following deliberations, Loren Legarda, who was presiding over the session at the time, ruled that the motion to adjourn took precedence and suspended the session until June 1.
Ciara’s post quickly drew mixed reactions online. While some netizens took her statement literally, many others recognized the sarcasm and praised her for standing by her father.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a comedian. Your father is an achiever and a respected statesman,” one commenter wrote.
Another added, “People forget that being an entertainer and being an effective public servant are not mutually exclusive.”
