Risa pa! Hontiveros offers ‘receipts’ of legislative work in seeking another Senate term
Re-electionist Sen. Risa Hontiveros during her proclamation rally in Bacacay, Albay on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Photo from Hontiveros’ office
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros presented “receipts” of her work in the Senate as she asked Filipinos to give her another chance to serve in the upper chamber.
On Wednesday, Hontiveros held a proclamation rally to officially launch her reelection bid in Bacacay, Albay, the hometown of her late husband, former police official Francisco Baraquel.
“Sabi po nila, tayong mga botante, dapat kikilatisin natin yung mga nanliligaw satin. Dapat itanong ang track record, hingin natin sa kanila ang kanilang resibo,” Hontiveros said. “Marami po tayong resibo, marami rin kasi naman tayong naitrabaho bilang senador. Nito pong 17th and 18th Congresses, nakapagpasa po tayo at natulungan magpasa ang higit kumulang 20 batas.”
(As they said, us voters, we need to scrutinize those courting us. We should ask them about their track record, let’s ask for receipts…. For me, I have a lot of receipts, because we really worked as a senator. During the 17th and 18th Congresses, we passed and helped pass more or less 20 laws.)
“Kaya ba ang Risa pa? Isa pa, para sa mga kababaihan at kabataan. Isa pa, para sa mga manggagawa. Isa pa, para suyurin at labanan ang korapsyon. Isa pa po sanang pagkakataong makapaglingkod sa bayan,” she added.
(Can we do one more term? One more term for our women and children. One more term for our workers, one more term to crack down on corruption. One more chance to serve the country.)
Hontiveros trumpeted the laws that she authored or helped enact, such as the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, which gives longer maternity and paternity leave for working parents.
She is also the principal sponsor of a bill expanding the range of benefits and coverage under the current Solo Parents’ Welfare Act. This measure is now only awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
The senator also pointed to the investigation she led as chairperson of the Senate women committee on the so-called “pastillas” scheme in the Bureau of Immigration.
This led to the filing of charges against several immigration officers and officials tagged in the racket.
Before Hontiveros’ panel unfolded the scheme in Febuary 2020, the senator initially held several hearings that looked into sex trafficking linked with Philippine offshore gaming operators. The committee’s investigation also looked into the outbound trafficking of Filipino women overseas.
The senator meanwhile vowed to make power costs cheaper across the country and continue advocating for Filipinos’ right to quality healthcare and access to decent livelihood.
She likewise promised to continue fighting corruption.
“Ayaw natin sa magnanakaw [We will shun corrupt officials],” she said.
Hontiveros also made a pitch for presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and vice presidential contender Senator Francis Pangilinan, who included her under their tandem’s senatorial slate.
“Sa pamumuno ni VP Leni, ni Sen. Kiko, kami pong mga senador nila (ay) itataguyod po natin ang isang gobyernong tapat para angat buhay ang lahat,” Hontiveros said.
(Under the leadership of VP Leni, Sen. Kiko and their senatorial aspirants, we will promote a government that will uplift the lives of everyone.)
Hontiveros’ proclamation rally on Wednesday kicked off with a motorcade followed by an opening Mass at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Bacacay. She also visited a local public market ahead of her proclamation event.
