Senators Risa Hontiveros and Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV on Monday, February 9 confirmed the meeting of key liberal opposition figures with former vice president and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.

Aquino told reporters in an interview that it was a “reunion” of sorts, as it is their first meeting in a very long time.

“Well, it was more like a reunion honestly. Matagal na rin kaming hindi nagkikita-kita. It was really good na nagkita-kita kami (It’s been a long time since we’ve gathered. It was really good that we met),” Aquino said.

Aquino is referring to a Facebook post by the mayor showing a photo of her “rare lunch” with key personalities who supported her presidential bid in 2022.

Aside from Hontiveros and Aquino, included in the photo were former Senate president Franklin Drilon, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, ML Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and former budget secretary Butch Abad.

For her part, Hontiveros said their meeting is a continuation of what the opposition started and which is bound to progress “in the near future.”

“Our hearts are in agreement in terms of what our country needs, moving forward,” Hontiveros said in a press conference.

The deputy majority leader said, however, that what is important to them is to continue strengthening the foundation of their alliance.

“What’s important for us is to further strengthen the foundaton of our unity so that moving forward, we can put our best foot forward and also bring forward our best ideas for our people,” she said.

Asked if this is already in preparation for the upcoming May 2028 elections, Hontiveros said it is also one of the important topics of their discussion.

“Well, that's one of the most important events in the coming years. So it's in that general spirit also. I just think what's important is that we continue to talk, that we continue to encourage each other, so that at the proper time, we can also make decisions together,” she said.

“Because we were having merienda, then of course, almost anything can be discussed during the meal, and because many of us work in this space—activists, politicians, we couldn’t help but talk about it.But again, we always come back to those very core or basic matters—our principles,” she said.

Nevertheless, Hontiveros said she remains open to being the liberal opposition’s frontrunner in the 2028 polls if the alliance chooses her as the presidential candidate.

“I would be willing to take on any task requested by the united opposition. Sorry, I'm going back and forth on that because that is my condition for anything, if we unite for the 2028 elections, I think that will strengthen our chances and whoever we include as we form a team or slate for that.  I will support that,” Hontiveros said.