The opposition’s consolidation strategy for the 2028 presidential race is taking shape around a single, data-driven principle: whoever polls highest among opposition figures leads the ticket — and Senator Risa Hontiveros says she is actively preparing to be that person.
Appearing on the program Political Beat, Hontiveros confirmed she is seriously weighing a presidential run, saying she is already preparing for the possibility. “Ako ay seryosong nagcoconsider sa possibility [ng pagtakbo sa 2028], kaya naghahanda [ako] sa posibilidad na iyon,” she said.
The senator outlined a specific timeline for when the opposition will settle on its standard-bearer. “And tingin ko, at the end of this year or at the latest first quarter next year, kung sino sa amin ang pinakamataas sa mga surveys, magkaisa kaming lahat para du’n sa taong ‘yun. Suportahan siya. Kung ako man ‘yun, or iba ‘yun,” she added.
Hontiveros’ potential candidacy could pit her against Vice President Sara Duterte, who has already announced her own presidential plans for 2028. Akbayan Party has said it will throw its full support behind Hontiveros should she formally decide to run, citing what it described as a deep governance crisis and growing public disillusionment with the current administration.
Despite her long-term preparations, Hontiveros has said her immediate priority is stabilizing conditions within the Senate, pointing to recent controversies that have gripped the upper chamber. On the question of a possible tandem — whether “Risa-Bam” or “Bam-Risa” with Senator Bam Aquino — Hontiveros said the opposition is not yet at that stage of discussion. A running mate conversation, she said, only becomes relevant once a standard-bearer has been determined.
Former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo has already ruled out a presidential run in 2028, a development that has effectively narrowed the field of high-profile opposition figures and heightened focus on Hontiveros as a frontrunner for the opposition’s banner.
