Hontiveros open to becoming president

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said she is open to the possibility of running for president in the 2028 national elections as the standard bearer of the opposition bloc.

At a Kapihan sa Senado forum, Hontiveros was asked if she is considering a bid for higher office following the return of senator-elects Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.

While she initially avoided a direct answer, Hontiveros emphasized the need for a progressive or reformist alternative among the presidential contenders in the next election.

"I'm not saying no. I'm open to all possibilities. And that's what I'm also asking of everyone in the opposition or independent bloc — that we all remain open to all possibilities and to one another, for the sake of the opposition and for the sake of our fellow Filipinos,” she said.

For now, Hontiveros said the opposition bloc will prioritize consolidation in the coming months.

 “I think questions like that, and the natural competition that comes with them, will naturally arise further down the road. But my priority right now — and I’ve been telling this to all our allies and colleagues — is really to unify, especially in these first nine months after the election,” she said.

“To bring people together. To consolidate to a greater degree than we were able to after 2022. We will consolidate,” she added.

She continued: “Even the selection process—our strongest possible slate for 2028 that will run and win—we can decide that somewhere down the road. I think the most urgent among all the important things right now is to unite during these next nine months."