Senator Risa Hontiveros has publicly characterized Vice President Sara Duterte as the most formidable candidate for the 2028 presidential race, while simultaneously emphasizing the critical need for cohesion within the opposition ranks. In a recent interview, Hontiveros articulated that if the opposition aspires to mount a serious challenge for the nation's highest office, they must meticulously prepare to compete against the strongest contender.
Hontiveros' Assessment of the Political Landscape
"As of today, she [VP Sara] truly is the strongest candidate," stated Hontiveros. She elaborated that for the opposition to be effective, they must select a candidate from their own ranks, unify behind that individual, and ensure that candidate possesses comparable, if not superior, strength to the frontrunner. "If we choose a candidate from among us and unite with that candidate, we need to be as strong as that candidate and eventually become stronger than that candidate," she explained.
The Opposition's Mandate: Offering a New Vision
Hontiveros stressed that a unified opposition must present voters with a compelling alternative. She argued that the offering should be "something new" and "something better" than what citizens have previously experienced. "Not a repetition of a past we have already tried, but something different and better," she added, highlighting the necessity for substantive change and progress.
Context: VP Sara's Presidential Ambitions and Political Tensions
Vice President Sara Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte and a former ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., confirmed this past Wednesday, February 18, her intention to run for president in 2028. This announcement comes amid ongoing political friction. Last week, Duterte claimed that the most recent impeachment complaints filed against her were driven by a "political motive."
She noted that one of the lawmakers supporting the complaint is a party-mate of Hontiveros, who has herself expressed the possibility of being chosen as the opposition's standard bearer. Hontiveros clarified her position regarding the impeachment proceedings, stating that she did not file any impeachment complaint and that the current case resides with the House of Representatives.
Constitutional Duty Over Political Agenda
Asserting the Senate's role, Hontiveros insisted that the impeachment process is a constitutional obligation, not a matter of personal or political agenda. "It is the constitutional duty of the Senate, if and when an impeachment complaint is transmitted to us from the House, for us to sit as senator-judges, weigh the evidence presented to us then, and decide, vote on the impeachment complaint on the basis of that evidence," she stated firmly.
This delineation underscores her commitment to institutional processes amidst the heated political climate surrounding the 2028 presidential elections and the ongoing scrutiny of Vice President Duterte.
