Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, July 10 said she feels no reason to feel betrayed over reports Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV will be joining the majority bloc once the Senate formally opens for the 20th Congress. 

“No, I don't feel a sense of betrayal. Kasi (Because), just as I can speak only for myself, yung sarili ko lang kalooban ang pwede kong panghawakan (I can only hold on to what I feel). I respect whatever decision my colleagues, even my closest colleagues will make,” said Hontiveros in an interview on ANC Headstart. 

“For me, I just keep my eye on the ball, which is to continue strengthening the opposition, not only within but also outside the Senate. And I will continue to apply myself to that task,” she said.

Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito earlier expressed belief that Pangilinan and Aquino will join the majority bloc that is supporting Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s Senate leadership bid in the upcoming Congress. 

But Hontiveros said nothing is still final as everything will be realized on the morning of July 28, the opening of session. 

“That's when each and every one of us senators will decide and cast our vote about which block in the Senate will we be joining,” she said.

Nevertheless, she said, she is prepared to remain independent.

“There are those who will join the majority, there are those will form a minority. There's still a third option I had thought about early on that if I don’t join either the majority or minority, I will stand as an independent senator,” she said. 

Moreover, Hontiveros said she believes each senator is responsible and accountable to their own decisions. 

But she said she does look forward to working with her two colleagues in any and all capacity with their common advocacies inside the Senate.