The “united opposition” is aiming to announce its common candidates for the 2028 general elections by the end of this year, following internal consultations among allied political groups, according to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
In an interview with The STAR’s “Truth on the Line,” Hontiveros said the opposition coalition is working through a process that would allow them to settle on their standard-bearers by year-end, or possibly by the first quarter of next year.
She rejected the idea that Vice President Sara Duterte’s early declaration of a presidential run is forcing the opposition to rush its decision-making, saying Duterte’s announcement is not driving their timeline.
Hontiveros described the “united opposition” as a coalition led by the so-called “pink” forces that supported former vice president Leni Robredo in the 2022 elections, along with the “Yellow” forces of the Liberal Party and their allied parties and sectoral organizations.
She said the coalition is prioritizing internal unity before exploring possible political alignments outside their existing circle.
Asked whether the opposition would consider joining forces with non-allied groups, including the camp of President Marcos, Hontiveros said such a move would depend on whether there are “enough shared common values” and whether political realities require a broader coalition.
“For now, there is no offer or invitation. First things first, we are fixing our own backyard. It will depend on talks about our shared values,” she said.
Hontiveros declined to confirm whether she and Sen. Bam Aquino are being positioned as the possible top two candidates of the opposition coalition, even as both have been viewed as potential contenders.
While she has previously expressed interest in seeking higher office in 2028, Hontiveros said any decision on whether she would run for president or vice president would depend on the outcome of consultations within the coalition.
She also confirmed that meetings among opposition figures had already been taking place even before Duterte made her early presidential announcement, as the group sought to strengthen its ranks ahead of the 2028 elections.
Robredo, who lost to Marcos in the 2022 presidential race, is included in the initial discussions, Hontiveros said.
“We have been meeting to ask ourselves, ‘How is our Mother Country now?’” she recalled.
“Our intention and obligation now is to be as strong as we possibly can, and to unite. It is only that way that we have a strong fighting chance,” she asserted.
Beyond election preparations, Hontiveros also addressed the possibility of serving as a senator-judge should impeachment proceedings move forward against Duterte.
Duterte was impeached last year over allegations that include misuse of confidential funds and her reported threat to hire an assassin to target the President in the event of her death. However, the Supreme Court later voided the impeachment complaint, citing a violation of the constitutional one-year bar rule.
With the one-year bar now expired, Hontiveros said she remains prepared in case another impeachment complaint reaches the Senate.
“I am always ready for the possibility that we become senator-judges and vote on the complaint based on the evidence to be presented to us,” she said.
Political analyst and former lawmaker Barry Gutierrez also weighed in, saying Duterte’s decision to declare her presidential bid early appears connected to the looming impeachment issue.
Speaking on One News’ “Storycon,” Gutierrez said Duterte’s announcement was expected, but argued its timing may be meant to influence lawmakers ahead of possible proceedings.
“It’s less about the vote (on the impeachment). The votes might come and they might not… It’s about who will be brave enough at the committee level to actually push for the release of the evidence,” Gutierrez said.
“The decision to make the declaration now… is intended to very firmly remind the congressmen of the political reality that they may be facing going into 2028,” he added.
Gutierrez, a former spokesman of Robredo, described Duterte’s declaration as “surprisingly weak.”
