De Lima: 'Fiscalizer' Hontiveros is what Filipinos need amid these trying times

Outgoing Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday vouched for lone re-elected opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, saying she is best suited to embody the role of a genuine "fiscalizer" in the Senate.

The detained lawmaker made the remark after outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo passed on the torch to Hontiveros as the new leader of the opposition.

In a statement, De Lima emphasized that Hontiveros' impeccable integrity, gravitas, courage, character and passion are what the Filipino people truly need amid these trying times.

“Congratulations on your oath-taking as a re-elected Senator and on your assumption as our new leader in the opposition, as declared by no less than VP Leni Robredo,” she said in a letter to Hontiveros.

“These milestones have come at a most opportune time in our nation’s political history, a propitious period which the ancient Greeks called ‘kairos’. And, I cannot think of anyone—other than you—who is best suited to embody the role of a genuine ‘fiscalizer’ in the Senate, and a leading light of the democratic opposition,” she added.

De Lima said she was elated with Hontiveros being the highest elected official of the opposition, adding that she is 100% certain that the re-elected senator will not only succeed but also excel in her mission.

“The Risa that we’ve known all these years—champion and exemplar of social justice, gender equality, good governance, peace and development–will be the same Risa (plus, plus!) that we will respect and admire even more in the days that lie ahead,” the senator said.

“Thank you, Risa, for all that you’ve been doing and everything that you’ll do for our country and people. Maswerte ako that you are my friend and sister. Please be assured of my steadfast support and fervent prayers,” she added.

After her oath-taking before Robredo last Monday, the outgoing vice president declared that Hontiveros is now the new leader of the opposition.

"Ikaw na ang aming leader. Nasa likod mo lang kami, tutulong, kung kailan mo kami kailangan. You are now the highest elected official in the opposition," said Robredo three days before stepping down from public office

(You are now our leader. We got your back, and we will be here to help you out whenever you need us.)

"Kampante kami na patuloy mong ipaglalaban kung ano ang mabuting pamamahala, naroon kami na sumusuporta sa iyo. Kami na ang mga sundalo mo,"  Robredo added.

(We are confident that you will continue to fight for good governance. We are here to support you. This time, we will be your soldiers.)

Hontiveros served as Akbayan party-list representative in Congress for two terms, 2004 to 2010. She ran for the Senate in the 2010 and 2013 polls and lost both before finally winning a Senate seat in the 2016 elections.

Hontiveros was one of the principal authors of the following laws: The Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, Philippine Mental Health Law, HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 and– Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act, among others.

She will be in the Senate minority bloc in the 19th Congress alongside Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.—AOL, GMA News