Hontiveros on Sara Duterte’s pres’l bid: We have free will, let’s use it

MANILA, Philippines — The united opposition might name its standard bearer for the 2028 presidential elections by the end of 2026 or in the first quarter of 2027.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros bared the matter when she was asked on Wednesday about Vice President Sara Duterte’s presidential bid.

As an initial reaction to Duterte’s announcement, the senator said: “Our favorite philosophers said: We have free will. So let’s use it.”

Asked about the opposition’s front runner, Hontiveros said the alliance is setting its schedule of movements.

“We are in the process of setting our own timeline. So the free will I mentioned earlier, we are using that as well for ourselves,” Hontiveros told reporters in a press conference.

Asked if the opposition is eyeing to name its standard bearer by the end of 2026 or during first quarter of 2027, Hontiveros answered: “That is the task have set for ourselves.”

Hontiveros, meanwhile, said the opposition is regularly communicating, even before Duterte’s announcement.

“We have continuously been leveling off, aligning on what we are looking for and what we expect from those within our ranks. That has not changed,” said the senator.

“Actually, it’s not qualifications per se, but rather the common values we have found in each other — our stand against corruption, our commitment to good governance, our growth and sharing the benefits of a stronger economy, a genuine unity in our divided and polarized society, and, of course, national sovereignty, among others,” she enumerated.

Earlier, Hontiveros said she remains open to being the front runner of the united opposition if the alliance chooses her as a candidate.

She likewise made clear that she would be willing to take on any action that the united opposition would ask of her, even if it means standing up as the vice presidential bet of the alliance. /apl