Win Gatchalian assures security for Hontiveros amid online threats

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has assured security for Senator Risa Hontiveros amid online death threats and comments against her.

Gatchalian said the Senate is coordinating with intelligence agencies regarding the incident, as he also assured the public that the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be safe and orderly.

“Nakikipag-coordinate kami sa mga intelligence agencies para bigyan-linaw ito at of course, mabigyan ng security at proteksyon ang ating mga senador, especially si Senator Risa [Hontiveros] dahil nga siya yung latest na nakakuha ng ganitong impormasyon,” Gatchalian told reporters.

(We are coordinating with intelligence agencies to shed light on the incident, and of course, to provide security and protection to senators, especially Senator Rosa who fell victim to this.)

“But I'll assure the public na ang SONA will be safe, will be orderly pagdating ng Lunes at tuloy-tuloy yung aming pag-meeting sa ating mga kawani sa Senado,” he added.

(But I'll assure the public the SONA will be safe and orderly on Monday. We are in continued meetings with all Senate personnel.)

In a tweet on X (formerly Twitter), Hontiveros thanked Gatchalian: “Maraming salamat, SP!”

(Thank you SP!)

Maraming Salamat, SP @stgatchalian! 🙏🏼https://t.co/VUTGb1it41

— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) July 24, 2026

Hontiveros earlier said that the wave of online threats and comments erupted following the death of vlogger Mima Alicia, who was shot by assailants outside her home in Caloocan City on July 17.

SONA

Marcos is set to deliver his penultimate SONA on Monday, July 27, 2026. According to Gatchalian, the Senate is “very prepared” for the SONA and is expecting to hear the President’s economic plans for next year.

Gatchalian also said he believes Marcos will not include the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte in the SONA as “it is purely the function of the Senate”.

“Hindi ko ma-predict kung anong sasabihin ng Presidente, but one of the things that gusto natin lahat marinig is paano hindi na mauulit itong corruption na nangyari last 2025 doon sa flood control issue,” the lawmaker said.

(We cannot predict what the President will say, but one of the things we want to hear is the update on last year’s flood control corruption issue.)

“Hindi lang yung making people accountable, kundi ano ba yung mga repormang ginawa ng DPWH, ano bang ginawa ng ibang ahensya para hindi nakaulit yung ganitong flood control issue? Nag-umpisa yan with the budget. Yung 2026, we put in a lot of safeguards in the budget.

May transparency, may safeguards, but yung execution side, yan ang gusto natin ipakita,” he added.

(Not only how we held people accountable but what were the reforms in the DPWH and other agencies. The issue started with the budget so for the 2026 national budget, we put in a lot of safeguards.) —LDF, GMA News