​Senator Risa Hotiveros does not intend to join the possible Duterte bloc—or the group of senators who are allies of the Dutertes—in the upcoming 20th Congress.

"Magsama? Well, wala po akong planong sumali sa isang Duterte bloc (Join them? I have no plans of joining a Duterte bloc)," Hontiveros said in a press conference on Wednesday, May 21.

Hontiveros made the remark after disclosing that there could be three blocs in the Senate of the 20th Congress. These are the majority bloc, the minority bloc, and the independent bloc.

She says it is not yet clear who will comprise the minority and the independent blocs. But the group that will have the most number of members after the majority will become the minority.

"Kung sinasabi nila na oposisyon sila [Duterte allies], senyales na naghahanda silang mag-vie para maging minority bloc o minority dito sa senado (If the Duterte allies are saying that they will be the opposition, it's a sign that they're already vying to become the minority bloc)," Hontiveros said.

From the 17th to the 19th Congress or during the terms of former president Rodrigo Duterte and President Marcos, Hontiveros had been part of the minority, or the opposition to the administration.

But amid the possibility that senators who are allies with the Dutertes would form their own opposition bloc against Marcos, Hontiveros say her plan is to simply be an independent.

"Kung anuman ang maging final organization dito sa senado, basta ang importante sakin ay may manatili na isang pole, isang poste, isang center of gravity na patuloy na magche-check and balance, na patuloy na mag fiscalize whether 'yan po ay yung minority sa 20th congress o isang independent bloc (Whatever the final organization in the Senate, what's important is there will be a pole, a post or a center of gravity that will continue doing checks and balances, that will continue to fiscalize, whether it's the minority or the independent)," she said.

She said she still could work and agree with senators from other blocs on certain measures, including on the protection of women and fight against Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), and other legislative agenda. But political stances are a no-no.

"Sa mga usaping politikal at mga susunod na electoral, tingin ko importante panatilihin at lalong palawakin, lalong palakasin yung pole ng opposition (But in terms of political or electoral talks, it's better if we widen and strengthen the pole of the opposition)," Hontiveros said.