MANILA — Though the 2028 presidential elections are still three years away, political observers and supporters of the opposition are already speculating on who could emerge as the standard-bearer of the so-called “pink camp.”
This comes after Senator Risa Hontiveros confirmed in a recent interview that she is open to running for president in 2028. Hontiveros, who is serving her third and final term in the Senate, said she is “open to all possibilities” and willing to be the presidential candidate of a possible third-force coalition—one not aligned with either President Bongbong Marcos or Vice President Sara Duterte.
In an interview with the Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC), Atty. Barry Gutierrez—former Akbayan partylist representative and spokesperson for former Vice President Leni Robredo—welcomed Hontiveros’ announcement, calling it a strategic move that gives the opposition more time to prepare.
“Atleast ngayon, andyan na yung pangalan ni Sen. Risa eh maaga pa lang, hindi nya tinatalikuran, inaako na nya yung openness nya to being the nominee ofcourse, early days pa ‘to maaga pa,” Gutierrez said.
Still, Gutierrez emphasized that other major figures cannot be left out of the conversation—particularly Senator-elect Bam Aquino and returning Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
Both scored significant wins in the 2025 midterm elections, with Aquino placing second nationwide and even clinching the top spot in several vote-rich provinces while Pangilinan, meanwhile, secured a strong Top 5 finish.
“The fact na si Sen. Bam Aquino really did very well sa mga areas na ito makes him a very very strong candidate kung pwedeng maging presidential o vice presidential candidate,” Gutierrez noted.
As for Pangilinan, Gutierrez said: “Si Sen. Kiko naman di nating pwedeng i-discount, sya yung vice presidential candidate ni VP Leni nung 2022 at #5 diba?. Hindi yun basta basta simpleng panalo”.
Also being floated is the potential comeback of former Vice President Leni Robredo herself.
While she has not made any announcements about 2028, analysts point to the sustained clamor for her return—especially among the youth—as a signal she may once again consider a presidential bid.
Robredo lost to President Marcos in the 2022 elections but managed to garner more than 15 million votes. Her backing of Aquino, Pangilinan, and former senator and incoming ML Partylist Representative Leila de Lima proved effective, bolstering speculation that her influence remains strong within the opposition.
Analysts say that whether it’s Hontiveros, Aquino, Pangilinan, or Robredo, the opposition will have a formidable figure to rally behind. However, they also caution that whoever emerges as the nominee will likely face tough competition from Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Raffy Tulfo—both seen as strong contenders in the 2028 presidential derby.
With the early stirrings of political positioning already underway, the road to 2028 promises to be a dynamic and highly contested race.