Senator Risa Hontiveros is calling for the unification of the so-called “Yellow” and “Pink” blocs, urging the opposition to harness the momentum gained from the May 12 elections to build a stronger, more cohesive front ahead of the 2028 national polls.
In an interview on The Philippine STAR’s “Truth on the Line” on July 4, Hontiveros highlighted the unexpectedly strong showing of opposition figures, including Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan’s return to the Senate, Leila de Lima’s win as Mamamayang Liberal party-list representative, and Akbayan party-list securing three congressional seats—one of which is reserved for human rights lawyer Chel Diokno.
“In unity, there is strength,” Hontiveros said during the interview. She emphasized the need to consolidate opposition efforts in the coming months, stressing the importance of continuing grassroots work to prepare for the 2028 elections. “We should continue to organize, educate, and mobilize—separately, parallel or together,” she added.
Hontiveros, who remains the highest-ranking opposition figure after former vice president Leni Robredo’s 2022 presidential loss, has not confirmed any presidential ambition. She said such a decision must come through proper consultation.
Beyond political organizing, the senator also defended her decision to seek help from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into DDS-aligned vloggers who allegedly spread disinformation against her.
The controversy stems from a viral video of Michael Maurillo, a former Senate witness who recanted his previous testimony against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and accused Hontiveros of bribery. The video, Hontiveros argued, was part of a broader disinformation network.
“I have always stood for freedom of expression and of the press. But what they did… that is crossing the line,” she said, accusing vloggers of not only attacking her but also targeting her staff and Senate witnesses.
Among those who pushed back were Jay Sonza, lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles, and Krizette Chu. They denied involvement in spreading the video but admitted discussing or referencing the controversy on their platforms. Sonza posted a fiery Facebook comment, while Angeles claimed her livestreams were balanced and constitutionally protected. Chu accused the senator of “political harassment.”
Hontiveros clarified she only sought the NBI’s assistance to preserve data that could prove coordination between Maurillo and the vloggers. “We will hold them accountable for justice,” she declared.
Maurillo, who previously testified under the alias “Rene,” had accused Quiboloy of sexual and physical abuse and implicated former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte. However, in his retraction, he claimed Hontiveros paid him to lie—a charge the senator has firmly denied. If proven false, Maurillo could face perjury for lying under oath during a Senate inquiry.
While fending off criticism from online personalities, Hontiveros also responded to political digs from Duterte allies. Senator Robin Padilla questioned her consistency on freedom of speech, and Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte called her a “spoiled brat crybaby.”
“Wow ha,” Hontiveros replied with a laugh, noting she withstood six years of Duterte’s presidency without acting like a spoiled child. “But he will never see me shed tears like a crybaby,” she said.
