FILE PHOTO: Sen. Risa Hontiveros during a public hearing on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros distanced herself from former senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s proposal of an anti-Duterte coalition with the Marcos administration.
According to Hontiveros, the opposition looks at “forming its own offer distinct from that of the administration.”
“I understand where former Sen. Sonny Trillanes is coming from. At naiintindihan ko siya dahil magka alyado kami, at the same time I treasure yung pagkakakilanlan namin at ko rin bilang oposisyon,” said Hontiveros in a press conference.
(I understand where former Sen. Sonny Trillanes is coming from. And I know him because we are allies; at the same time, I treasure our identity as the opposition.)
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“And I think bagamat mahalaga na mapigilan yung pagbalik sa ganap na kapangyarihan ng mga Duterte, at the same time, may mga unresolved issue sa ating kasaysayan ng human rights violations at mga plunder,” she added.
(And I think although it is important to prevent the Dutertes’ return to absolute power, at the same time, there are unresolved issues in our history of human rights violations and plunder.)
Trillanes earlier floated the idea of the “pink forces” uniting with the Marcos administration as an “Anti-Duterte Unity Ticket” after Vice President Sara Duterte disclosed that her father, ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, and brothers – Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte – are gearing up to secure Senate seats via the 2025 midterm elections.
Hontiveros appeared not to reject Trillanes’ proposition altogether. But she emphasized that the opposition is currently considering “forming its own offer.”
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She also said that, for now, she is not inclined to join the political partnership being suggested by Trillanes.
“Sa ngayon, I cannot. As a minority in the Senate and as an opposition – a member and a leader of the opposition. Mas mafa-finalize pa namin ang lahat-lahat kasama ng ibang opposition leaders habang papalapit ang October. Lalo na ang filing ng Certificate of Candidacy sa hanay namin,” Hontiveros added.
(Right now, I cannot. As a minority in the Senate and as an opposition – a member and a leader of the opposition. We will be able to finalize everything together with other opposition leaders as October approaches. Especially the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy in our line.)