“Hindi sapat na magaling ka. Dapat mabuting tao ka” Vico Sotto Urges Graduates to Prioritize Character Over Self-Interest

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has been earning praise on social media after delivering an inspiring speech to over 1,000 engineering graduates.

Photo: UPD College of Engineering/Facebook

On July 8, Vico delivered an inspiring speech at the 2025 UP College of Engineering Recognition Rites, where he served as a guest speaker alongside Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. In his speech, the Pasig City mayor emphasized that ambition and success are useless if they are not grounded in integrity.

“Hindi sapat na magaling ka. Dapat mabuting tao ka… Ang tunay na tagumpay, hindi lang ‘yung mataas ang sweldo o kilala ka. Kung yumaman ka pero may tinapakan kang iba o galing sa nakaw ang yaman—tagumpay ba talaga ‘yun (It’s not enough that you’re great; You have to be a good person, too. True success is not just about having a high salary or being well-known. If you became rich by stepping on others or through stolen wealth—is that really success)?” he said.

The 36-year-old mayor deviated from the usual inspirational graduation speeches, instead addressing the realities faced by those starting out in their respective fields and the challenges they encounter along the way.

“In my line of work… napakadaling makain ng sistema (it’s so easy to be consumed by the system). People start off with good intentions, but the saddest thing that I’ve seen as a person working with [the] government are actually people who have the right intentions when they start, but along the way, they get lost… nakakakain ng pangarap [at] ambisyon (because their dreams and ambitions end up consuming them),” he shared.

“Madaling makain ng sistema. Mabilis macha-challenge ang idealismo niyo, pero sana hindi ito mawala (It’s easy to be consumed by the system. Your idealism will be challenged quickly, but I hope you never lose it).”

Despite these harsh realities, the public figure remains hopeful that the younger generation can disrupt old systems and corrupt ways while driving grounded and meaningful change.

“Pray that you live with faith and integrity, and use your privilege to serve, protect, and help those who are not as fortunate in life… You will have the opportunity to be a catalyst for change—more drastic and faster than in any time in history,” he remarked.

“Hindi ko man nabago ang lahat, naging mabuti akong tao sa kapwa ko. Nakatulong ako sa ikagaganda ng bayan natin (I may not have changed everything, but I was a good person to those around me. I was able to help make our community a better place).”

Vico Sotto is currently serving his third and final term as Pasig City mayor after securing a landslide victory in the May 2025 midterm elections.

As mayor, his programs focus on health, education, housing, and anti-corruption, while also advocating for government transparency and ensuring that citizens have access to the LGU’s operations. He is also recognized as one of the 12 recipients of the International Anticorruption Champions Award for his outstanding efforts in promoting anti-corruption.

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