Hontiveros not ruling out 2028 presidential run

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said she’s open to running for president in 2028, as she emphasized the need for a strong, united opposition.

“I’m not saying no. I’m open to all possibilities,” Hontiveros said during a media forum at the Senate. “That’s also what I’m asking of everyone in the opposition and independent bloc — to stay open to all possibilities and to each other, for the sake of the people.”

The senator was asked about a possible presidential bid following the return of fellow opposition figures Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino to the Senate. While she stopped short of making a formal declaration, Hontiveros said her current focus is on unifying and strengthening the opposition in the next nine months.

“We’ll face those questions — and the competition that comes with them — eventually. But for now, the priority is to consolidate and build a stronger coalition than what we had after 2022,” she said.

No to Duterte bloc

Hontiveros also rejected the idea of joining a so-called “solid bloc” being formed by allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte, which may include Senators Bato dela Rosa, Bong Go, Imee Marcos, and incoming senators Camille Villar and Rodante Marcoleta.

“I have no plans of joining a Duterte bloc,” she said. “We can work together on shared advocacy — whether women’s rights, utilities, or the crackdown on POGOs — but when it comes to politics and elections, the priority is to strengthen the opposition.”

On minority leadership

With Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel stepping down after losing his congressional bid in Marikina, Hontiveros was asked whether she’s interested in taking over the role.

“That’s always the goal for any minority, especially if new allies are elected,” she said. “But in the Senate, it’s a numbers game. If we can’t form the minority, my Plan B is to form an independent bloc.”

Hontiveros will be joined in the 20th Congress by Senators-elect Pangilinan and Aquino, both known opposition voices who ran as independents despite their party affiliations.

Staying out of the majority

Asked whether she would consider joining the majority bloc, Hontiveros was firm: “I’m not an ally of the administration. The past nine years have been enough. I’ve worked with the majority on many issues, but for the sake of consistency and for 2028 and beyond, it’s important to offer an alternative — both inside and outside the Senate.”