Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros has officially signaled her intent to join the 2028 presidential race, confirming she is “seriously considering” a bid for the Malacañang seat following former Vice President Leni Robredo’s decision to remain in local government.
Speaking on Saturday, April 25, Hontiveros expressed her readiness to lead the opposition coalition, emphasizing her consistent openness to the country’s highest office.
“Naghahanda ako at dahil sinabi ko na dati, paulit ulit, na tuwing tinatanong kung bukas ako [tumakbo for presidency], willing ako, seriously considering it,” Hontiveros stated.
The Senator’s announcement comes as the Liberal Party (LP) evaluates its strategy for the next general election.
While Robredo—currently serving as the Mayor of Naga City—remains a top contender in recent surveys, her stated preference for local governance has left a vacuum for a consolidated opposition standard-bearer.
Hontiveros clarified that while she respects Robredo’s current stance, her primary goal is maintaining a unified front against other political blocks.
“I’ve said from the start, hindi lang kung ano ‘yung decision or yung pag-change ng decision ng sinuman samin,” she noted. “Basta ang akin, kung sino ang pinakamalakas mula sa aming hanay, ‘yun ang argument ko from the start, ‘yun ang suportahan namin para iisa lamang.”
The political landscape for 2028 is already taking shape, with Vice President Sara Duterte currently leading preference polls. Despite her focus on Naga, Robredo holds the second spot in recent surveys, steadily closing the gap with Duterte.
Hontiveros has already garnered significant endorsements within the opposition circles.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV previously labeled her the “ideal” candidate for the traditional opposition, throwing his support behind her potential candidacy.
As the Marcos administration has yet to float a formal bet, Hontiveros appears to be positioning herself as the central figure for those seeking an alternative to the current leadership and the Duterte camp.