Risa Hontiveros eyes being ‘independent senator’ in 20th Congress

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday floated the possibility of joining an independent bloc in the 20th Congress. 

Hontiveros, who was part of the two-man minority bloc in the 19th Congress along with former Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, said that it is “more realistic” if she will be an independent senator in the 20th Congress, considering the numbers. 

“Based lang on the numbers, unless may dramatic shift in numbers na usually hindi nagkakaroon ng dramatic shift sa ganyan sa Philippine politics. Just based on the numbers, pangarap ko man kami ‘yung maging minority, mas realistic sa tingin ko lang, just based on the numbers of the probable majority and the possible minority,” she said at a press conference.

(Unless there is a dramatic shift in numbers which usually doesn't happen in Philippine politics and even if I wanted us to become the minority, I think it's more realistic, just based on the numbers of the probable majority and the possible minority, that I become independent.) 

“Based on the numbers, mas realistic na maging bahagi ako ng isang independent bloc or basta maging isang independent senator,” she added. 

(Based on the numbers, it is more realistic for me to be part of an independent bloc or just be an independent senator.) 

Hontiveros said that she is still discussing with allies Senators Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan their plans for the 20th Congress.

She also said that it would be interesting if there would be other senators who want to join the minority. 

What Hontiveros assured was that she will not join the majority bloc, which she said she hasn’t been part of in almost nine years.

“And tingin ko, consistent sa pagiging miyembro ko ng minority—either manatili sa minority or magbuo ng isang independent bloc o maging independent. Hindi lang dahil sa nakaraan, pero dahil din sa kinabukasan. Gusto ko talagang magsalamin kami o magsalamin ako dito sa loob ng Senado, do’n sa mas malakas na oposisyon na gusto kong buuin namin, tulungan naming buuin sa labas ng Senado,” she explained.

(I think that’s consistent with my being a member of the minority—either I stay in the minority or form an independent bloc or become independent. That’s not only because of the past, but also because of the future. I really want us or me to reflect here in the Senate the stronger opposition that I want us to build.) 

Minority leadership

Hontiveros also admitted that she aspired to become the next Senate minority leader, but some senators seemingly have more numbers to back them for the role. 

She said she also considered running for Senate presidency as the second highest candidate may become the minority leader.

For his part, Senator Vicente ''Tito'' Sotto III said that he is open to joining the minority bloc and be its leader should he not be elected as Senate president. 

“Magandang role ‘yun dahil handang handa [ako] sapagkat ako’y naging minority leader na dati. Noong panahon na ang Senate president no’n ay Si Nene Pimentel, a ganoon din inalok namin para maging Senate president,” Sotto said in an ambush interview during his oath taking as senator. 

(That's a good role. I'm ready because I was the minority leader before. That time, the Senate president was Nene Pimentel and we also pushed him to be the Senate president.)  —AOL, GMA Integrated News