RISA HONTIVEROS

SENATOR, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Even as a teen, Risa Hontiveros was already an activist. She was still in high school when she organised a protest against the nuclear power plant in Bataan. Hontiveros continued to fight for her advocacies as a college student at the Ateneo de Manila University, where she would graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in social sciences. After graduation, she worked ten years as a journalist and news anchor for IBC 13 and GMA News.

During her first term as a senator in 2016, Hontiveros advocated for health and women’s rights, authoring laws that include the Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law, the Philippine Mental Health Law and the Expanded Maternity Leave Law.

Hontiveros’ victory in the 2022 elections presented challenges, being the highestranking opposition leader to be elected under the Marcos administration. “A continuing challenge is how we could broaden and strengthen the opposition to elect more opposition senators in 2025 and to contest the presidency in 2028,” she remarked. “It is also a challenge to be only one of the two members of the minority in the Senate, not just politically but also practically. [But] we are constantly addressing this by building a bigger tent among different parties, civil society organisations, individuals and movements that share similar values and beliefs. We want to start conversations with those who may not necessarily be in the opposition per se but with whom we can make common cause.”

Her unyielding tenacity endured through 2023 when Hontiveros stood as the lone senate member voting against the bill to establish the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund—legislation notably supported by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “The justification for the immediate passage of the Maharlika Fund is too convoluted and vague,” the senator stated. “Malacañang refuses to disclose where the funds will be allocated… We must not allow our economy to sink deeper because of unreasonable spending.”