Opposition to choose standard bearer for 2028 polls by year end —Hontiveros

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said that the opposition is expected to announce its presidential candidate for the 2028 national elections by the end of the year or early 2027. 

This, following the announcement of Vice President Sara Duterte that she will run for president in the 2028 polls. 

“Ang masasabi ko lang, sa ngayon 2026, nakatutok ang mga reform-minded at opposition forces sa pagbubuo ng mas mahigpit pang pagkakaisa para pumili ng aming mga kandidato whether by end of the year or first quarter of next year,” Hontiveros said in a press conference. 

(All I can say is, as of now, 2026, the reform-minded and opposition forces are focused on being more united so we could choose our candidates whether by the end of the year or the first quarter of next year.) 

Hontiveros also said that the common values that the united opposition is looking for for its standard-bearer remain the same. 

“Dahil ilang taon na rin kaming magkakasama at regular na naguusap, eh bago pa man itong recent important development ay patuloy ‘yung pagle-level off namin pagkakasundo kung ano ‘yung aming mga requirements or qualifications na hahanapin sa aming hanay. Hindi po nagbabago ‘yun,” she explained. 

(Because we have been together for several years and have been talking regularly, even before this recent important development, we have been leveling off and agreeing on what our requirements or qualifications are for our candidate within our group. That has not changed.) 

“‘Yung common values na nahanap namin sa aming hanay, ‘yung pagnanais para sa anti-corruption and good governance, ‘yung pag-grow at pagse-share ng bunga ng ating mas malakas na ekonomiya, at isang tunay na pagkakaisa sa ating divided at polarized na lipunan, of course pambansang soberenya at iba pa,” she added. 

(The common values that we are looking for are: the desire for anti-corruption and good governance for the growth and sharing of the fruits of our stronger economy, and a true unity in our divided and polarized society, and of course national sovereignty.) 

Asked to comment on the presidential bid of Duterte, the senator said, “Well, sabi ng mga paborito nating mga philosophers tayo po ay may free will, so gamitin po natin.” 

(Well, as our favorite philosophers said, we have free will, so let's use it.) 

Hontiveros previously said that she remains open to running for president or even vice president in the 2028 elections if that is what the united opposition would agree upon. —VAL, GMA Integrated News