Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros acknowledged that her previous assessments of Vice President Sara Duterte and her potential presidential bid in 2028 will inevitably affect her judgment during the impeachment trial.
In an ABS-CBN News report, Hontiveros admitted, “Of course, it’s on our minds also. Kasi isa sa mga mabibigat na implikasyon ‘yan or consequence ng isang impeachment.” She explained that for many victims seeking accountability, the impeachment represents more than politics. “Hindi nga ito looking forward eh… it’s also finally a reckoning sa mga past na mga krimen laban sa kanila na never pa nila nakakuha ng substantive na hustisya,” Hontiveros added.
Hontiveros further clarified that while she already holds opinions based on Duterte’s previous actions, she intends to maintain fairness. “Fair enough to say na may judgment na akong namumuo the past several years na nakita ko sa performance ni VP,” she said, emphasizing, “But the challenge is, to try to listen to everything and think of everything as if new, as if fresh.”
Despite ongoing controversies, Duterte remains a frontrunner in polls for the 2028 presidency. Hontiveros’ party, Akbayan, endorsed one of the impeachment complaints filed at the House of Representatives. The senator emphasized her impartiality, stating, “I have always tried to be fair… objective… respectful sa mga witnesses, kahit sila pa yung pinatutungkulan ng investigasyon.”
Meanwhile, a recent WR Numero survey showed that 47% of Filipinos oppose the impeachment. Hontiveros acknowledged the impact of public sentiment but stressed senators’ duty to be impartial judges.
She also called for an immediate start to the trial, rejecting Senate President Francis Escudero’s proposed delay until after the May elections. “There’s no reason we should wait four months or even one more month. Pwede na po namin simulang gawin ang aming responsibilidad ngayon,” she urged.
Hontiveros conceded that the impeachment might become a significant election issue, particularly for senators seeking re-election. However, she underscored that fulfilling their constitutional responsibility must remain the priority.
