Sen. Risa Hontiveros oath taking before VP Leni Robredo
MANILA, Philippines — “Ikaw na yung leader namin,” outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo told Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday as the latter was sworn into office as the highest elected opposition official in the country.
“Pagkatapos na alam na natin yung resulta ng eleksyon, tinext ko si Senator Risa, sabi ko: ‘Ikaw na yung leader namin,’” Robredo said in a speech after Hontiveros took her oath of office as senator. The senator took her oath before the vice president.
(After we learned the result of the elections, I texted Senator Risa. I told her: ‘You are now our leader.’)
“Uulitin ko ‘yun ngayon Senator Risa, you are now the highest elected official sa oposisyon, at lahat kami masaya na ikaw yung natitirang humahawak ng ating bandila. Kampante kami na patuloy mong ipapakipaglaban yung lahat ng pinaniniwalaan natin kung ano yung mabuti at tama sa pamamahala,” she added.
(I will repeat it Senator Risa, you are now the highest elected official of the opposition, and we are all happy that you are the one who’s left to raise our flag. We are confident that you will continue to push for our advocacy of good governance.)
Robredo assured Hontiveros that she and other opposition members will rally behind the senator.
“Nasa likod mo lang kami tutulong kung kailan mo kami kailangan. (We are behind you and ready to help when you need us),” the vice president said.
“Nandito lang kami lagi magsusuporta sa ‘yo. Kami na yung mga sundalo mo ngayon, Senator Risa. Kung papaano mo sinuportahan yung buong sambayanang Pilipino, ganoon din yung suportang aasahan mo mula sa amin,” she added.
(We are always here to support you. We are now your soldiers, Senator Risa. You can expect the same support that you’ve given to the Filipino people.)
Forming united opposition
According to the vice president, it was Hontiveros who first broached the idea of forming a united opposition ahead of the 2022 polls.
“Matagal pa before elections, siya na rin yung unang sumusubok na magkaroon ng united opposition,” Robredo disclosed.
(Even before the elections, she is the one who pushed for a united opposition.)
“Ilan beses kaming nagusap, marami siyang efforts na ginawa bago pa ako gumalaw. Pareho kaming hindi nagwagi pero masaya ako na kahit papaano nandyan ka pa na standing strong. Alam ko na hindi mo kami papabayaan,” she added.
(We talked for several times, she gave so much effort even before I did something [to form a united opposition]. We were both not successful but I am happy that she is still standing strong. We know you will not let us down.)
Securing a fresh term in the upper chamber, Hontiveros is the only opposition senator who won in the 2022 polls.