Hontiveros hopes more senators will join the minority bloc in the 20th Congress
Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros said she hopes more senators will be part of the Senate Minority Bloc in the 20th Congress.
Currently the two-manned minority bloc in the Upper Chamber is headed by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
However, Pimentel’s term in the Senate will end on July of this year when the 19th Congress closes this year.
Currently, Pimentel is running for mayor of Marikina City.
“Ang wish ko, lumaki kami, kasing naging dalawa (lang) kami ngayon (I wish that we will grow in numbers, because right now we are just two),” Hontiveros said during the Kapihan sa Senado on Wednesday, February 26.
“Wala po akong balak maging isa lamang (sa minority) dahil sa kinalulungkot ko na pag-term out ni Sen. Koko (I don’t plan to be alone in the minority, because sadly Sen. Koko’s term will end this year),” she said.
“Wish ko lang maging tatlo (3) kami sa susunod na Senate minority,” the opposition senator said.
The senator said she is vouching for former senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV to win in the upcoming May 2025 elections.
Hontiveros noted that the two former senators are up against “very, very well-funded” senatorial bets and are struggling to get to the top of preferential surveys.
“Pghihirapan namin ito…pag-aaralan namin (We will work hard during the campaign…we will also study our next move), but it will be worth fighting for,” Hontiveros stressed.