Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Honorable
Risa Hontiveros
Hontiveros in 2018
Incumbent
Assumed office
show
Senate committee
chairmanships
Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives
for Akbayan
In office
Personal details
Manila, Philippines
Nationality Filipino
(m. 1990; died 2005)
Children 4
Barbie Almalbis (cousin)
Occupation Politician
Profession Journalist
Signature
Contents
1Early life
2Political career
2.1House of Representatives
2.2Senate bids
2.3Senate
2.3.1Legislation
3Awards and Recognition
4Personal life
5References
6External links
Early life[edit]
Hontiveros was born on February 24, 1966, in Manila. At age 14, she was
part of the Von Trapp children in the Repertory Philippines' adaptation
of The Sound of Music, alongside Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson,
and Raymond Lauchengco during her childhood.[6] It was also during this
period when she was first introduced to activist work as an organizer in
the campaign against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in her high school.
[7][8] Hontiveros graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree
in social sciences from the Ateneo de Manila University. While at Ateneo,
she was active in the student council, where she participated in
advocacies for peace and justice in marginalized communities.[9][10]
She was also a television journalist and news anchor having worked for
two television networks in the country, IBC (Headline Trese) and GMA
Network (GMA Network News).[11] In Hontiveros' career as an activist,
she has been affiliated with a number of organizations and movements:
[12][13] Coalition for Peace (served as Secretary-General from 1988 to
1992), National Peace Conference (serving on its Governing Council
since 1990), Government Panel for Peace Talks with the National
Democratic Front (chairing the Panel's Reciprocal Working Committee on
Socio-Economic Reforms from August 1998 to June 1999), Pandayan
para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (Pandayan/Forge for a Socialist
Philippines), a democratic socialist political organization (re-elected as
Chairperson in August 2001), Pilipina, a socialist feminist
organization, Amnesty International Pilipinas (member of the board of
directors), and Institute for Politics and Governance.
Political career[edit]
House of Representatives[edit]
Hontiveros first entered politics as the third nominee of Akbayan Party-
list in the 2004 national elections. She is one of the prominent opposition
figures of the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration, especially during
the height of the Hello Garci controversy of 2005.[14] In the International
Women's Day of 2006, she was arrested and brought to Camp Caringal
in Quezon City without warrant despite the peaceful nature of the
assembly marking the global event.[15] Hontiveros eventually became
Akbayan's first nominee in the 2007 Midterm Elections. She was a
member of the House Minority as well as the following Committees in
the 14th Congress: Appropriations, Ethics and Privileges, Foreign Affairs,
Good Government and Public Accountability, Health, Higher and
Technical Education, Human Rights, Natural Resources, Peace,
Reconciliation and Unity, People Participation, Rules, Trade and Industry,
Women and Gender Equality.
Successful pieces of legislation that were crafted and filed by Hontiveros
in Congress include the Cheaper Medicines Law that lowers the cost of
essential medicines by allowing parallel importation and compulsory
licensing, and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension
with Reforms (CARPER) Law that extends the old CARP Law as well as
provides a program better suited to the needs of the farmers and the
agrarian reform beneficiaries. Hontiveros's legislative track record also
include, among others, the Anti-Prostitution Bill that aims to look at
prostitution as a symptom of inequitable and exploitative social structures
and prostitutes, the Gender Balance Bill that aims to ensure women's
representation in all structures of governance, and the Students' Rights
and Welfare (STRAW) Bill that aims to promote and protect students'
liberties at all levels and in both public and private schools. [16]
Senate bids[edit]
Hontiveros displaying Corazon Aquino's iconic laban (fight) hand symbol after joining the
Senate[edit]
Hontiveros was principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 10932,
or the "Act strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law", which increases
the penalties for hospitals that demand deposits or advance payments
before administering basic emergency services.[33][34][35][36]
In September 2017, Hontiveros caught justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre
II drafting fabricated charges against her through text messages during a
hearing on the deaths of minors caused by the Philippine Drug War.
Aguirre's text messages instructed former Negros Oriental representative
Jacinto Paras, a member of controversial group VACC, to 'expedite'
cases against Hontiveros, a sitting senator. The same tactic was used by
Aguirre against senator Leila de Lima, which led to de Lima's arrest a few
months past. The revelation was protested nationwide as instead of
focusing on the murder case, Duterte's justice secretary was focusing on
how to imprison Hontiveros.[37][38] Despite being caught and the
evidences presented in halls of Senate, Aguirre still filed cases against
Hontiveros in October.[37][38] On September 13, 2017, Hontiveros, along
with key senators, vowed to convince their House counterparts to restore
the proposed P678-million budget of the Philippine Commission on
Human Rights, which criticized Duterte's deadly drug war, for 2018. The
House downgraded the commission's budget to only 1,000 pesos. The
budget was eventually restored after major appeals from the public and
the Senate.[39]
In December 2017, Hontiveros became one of the recipients of the first-
ever Ripple Awards, which are given to 'brave individuals who have made
a significant impact in spreading HIV-AIDS awareness, stopping the
spread of the virus, and helping to fight the stigma suffered by their
communities.'[40]
Hundreds of fake news have been posted in Facebook, Twitter, and
YouTube against Hontiveros, after she strongly expressed her dissent
over president Duterte's Philippine Drug War, martial law declarations,
Lumad school bombing orders, and attacks against women, LGBTs, and
indigenous peoples. Some of the fake news on Facebook has been taken
down after public outrage, but those in YouTube have remained rampant.
[41] The production of fake news against Hontiveros has been continuous,
propagating in numerous social media apps. Various fact-checking
national news networks have aided in denouncing the proliferation of fake
news.[42][41]
In May 2018, Hontiveros blasted the presidential palace for its 'sheepish
response' on China's blatant intrusions and exploitation in the West
Philippine Sea and Benham Rise.[43] On May 11, Hontiveros condemned
the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, calling it a ‘stab to
Constitution's heart’.[44]
In July 2018, the Senate passed a bill providing mandatory PhilHealth
coverage for people with disabilities (PWDs). The bill is sponsored and
principally authored by Hontiveros.[45] On the same month, another law
authored by Hontiveros, the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang
Pilipino Act, which sought to address hunger and undernutrition among
children aged 3 up to those in Grade 6, was enacted.[46] On August 16,
2018, a year after the murder of Kian delos Santos, Hontiveros filed a
resolution seeking to declare every August 16 as a "National Day of
Remembrance" for all the victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the
Duterte government's war on drugs in commemoration of Kian delos
Santos.[47]
On September 20, 2018, Hontiveros slammed President Duterte, calling
him the 'real destabilizer', after President Duterte accused numerous
progressive universities and Liberal opposition figures of an October
destabilization plot which sought to oust him from office.[48] When the
alleged plot did not happen in October, Duterte afterwards made the
same accusations in November and December, despite both the military
and the police force clearing all universities and Liberal opposition figures
from the alleged ouster plot.[49][50] On September 24, 2018, Hontiveros
exposed the 2 billion peso 'tara' system profit of military general Jason
Aquino, who was appointed by Duterte as head of the country's National
Food Authority.[51] In October 2018, the proposed Safe Streets and Public
Spaces Act of 2017, principally authored and sponsored by Hontiveros,
passed in the Senate.[52] The bill passed in the House in January 2019,
and is awaiting a bicameral meeting for it to become a law. [53]
In November 2018, Hontiveros received the Equality Champion Award
from Lagablab Network for her push for equality laws in the Senate and
for her fight against SOGIE-based discrimination in the country.[54] On the
same month, Hontiveros reiterated that the influx of illegal Chinese
workers in the Philippines is an ‘assault in sovereignty and economy’.
[55] Hontiveros has also appealed numerous times for government to 'stop
normalizing rape, sexual abuse' amidst president Duterte's sexually
provocative remarks and tirades that objectifies women and LGBTs. [56] In
December, Hontiveros voted against the extension of martial law in
Mindanao for the second year in a row.[57]
In January 2019, Republic Act 11166 or the HIV and AIDS Policy Act of
2018 passed into law. Hontiveros was the principal author and sponsor of
the law in the Senate. The new HIV law aids in expanding access to
evidence-based HIV strategies and facilitate easier access to learning
about one's HIV status. The passage of the law was lauded by the World
Health Organization.[58] On the same month, Hontiveros filed the divorce
bill in the Senate.[59] The Philippines is one of only two countries in the
world that has yet to legalize divorce, the other being the Vatican.
[60] Majority of Filipinos support the proposed divorce bill. [61] Hontiveros
was a key opposition figure against the lowering of the minimum age of
criminality which president Duterte initially wanted to be 9 years of age.
[62] She was awarded the Silver Rose Award by SOLIDAR, a European
network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), at the European
Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on January 29 in recognition of her
contributions "to social justice and solidarity." [63] Hontiveros was cited as
"a progressive politician who is fighting for ideals and freedom in the
Philippines."[64] On February 8, Hontiveros called on PAO chief Persida
Acosta to resign over her 'scaremongering' campaign against vaccination,
[65] which led to a measles outbreak that killed more than 55 children
(including infants) and infected more than a thousand.[66][67][68] The
infection rate also increased by 550% according to the Department of
Health.[69]
On July 19, 2019, the PNP–Criminal Investigation and Detection
Group (CIDG) filed charges against Hontiveros and other members of
the opposition for "sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal,
and obstruction of justice".[70][71] On February 10, 2020, she was cleared
of all charges.[72][73]
On August 7, 2020, Hontiveros sought for the creation of an anti-
overpricing body to guard PhilHealth spending.[74] On August 11, 2020,
Hontiveros initiated an investigation regarding the corruption and mafia
system in PhilHealth under the administration of the secretary for health,
Francisco Duque III.[75] She also urged an investigation about the illegal
activities of Chinese men, which includes prostitution, in a casino at
Clark.[76] Hontiveros also called for an independent investigation on the
murder of Anakpawis chairman Randall Echanis.[77] On August 18,
Hontiveros urged the Department of Health to withdraw the memorandum
that suspended the special risk allowance (SRA) of public health workers.
[78] She has backed the passage of the Magna Carta for Seafarers, [79] as
well as the establishment of more medical schools in state universities
and colleges.[80] On August 26, Hontiveros again urged President Duterte
to speak out and lay down plans to protect the Philippines from China's
aggression in the West Philippine Sea.[81] On the same day, she also
sought relief for the victims and the family of the victims in the Jolo
bombings.[82] She also urged government to speed-up the digital
infrastructure support for MSME's during the pandemic.[83] By the end of
August, she urged the presidential palace to drop the Chinese firms
involved in building military installations in the territories of the Philippines
in the West Philippine Sea.[84] She also sought to probe the mass
importation of PPE's.[85] On September 7, Hontiveros criticized President
Duterte's declaration of absolute pardon for the US Marine who has been
convicted in the homicide of trans Filipina, Jennifer Laude, calling the
president's move an "affront not only to the LGBTQI+ community but to
the Filipino people."[86]
Legislation[edit]
Personal life[edit]
Hontiveros's husband, Francisco Baraquel Jr., died in May 2005 after
suffering from a heart attack due to severe asthma. They have four
children together.[10][95] Her nephew, Luis Hontiveros, was a housemate
on the regular edition of Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7.[96]
Having served as a journalist for ten years before venturing into politics,
Hontiveros is a recipient of the Kapisanan ng Mga Broadkaster ng
Pilipinas' Golden Dove Award for Best Female Newscaster. Because of
her work in the peace talks with the National Democratic Front, she also
received the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Peace and
Advocacy in 2001, and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2005.[97]
References[edit]
1. ^ "Hontiveros, Risa". Rappler. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
2. ^ Geronimo, Jee Y. "Risa Hontiveros finally wins Senate seat: 'We defied
gravity'". Rappler, founder of pag ibig scam.
4. ^ "Duterte lost wars on drugs, endo, poverty, Risa Hontiveros says". GMA News
Online.
11. ^ Silvestre, Edmund (May 2, 2016). "The Risa that I know". The Philippine Star.
Retrieved May 23, 2016.
14. ^ Marcelo, Pepper (September 1–15, 2006). "Risa Hontiveros Baraquel: Not Your
Typical Politico". Planet Philippines. Buzzword Media Corporation. Archived
from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2008.
17. ^ "Serge: Jun Magsaysay, Risa Hontiveros lost for same reason".
Retrieved February 17, 2017.
20. ^ Bea Cupin (October 11, 2015). "It's final: LP completes 12-person Senate
slate". Rappler. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
24. ^ Marcelo, Ver (May 3, 2017). "Senate passes Mental Health Act". CNN.
Retrieved May 3, 2017.
28. ^ "Press Release - Statement of Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on the arrest of
Senator Leila De Lima". www.senate.gov.ph.
29. ^ Yap, DJ; Uy, Jocelyn; Salaverria, Leila (July 23, 2017). "Congress votes to
extend martial law". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
30. ^ Regencia, Ted (February 28, 2018). "Senator: Rodrigo Duterte's drug war has
killed 20,000". Al Jazeera.
31. ^ "Hontiveros takes witnesses in Kian's slay under her protective custody". Manila
Bulletin News.
36. ^ Elemia, Camille (May 15, 2017). "Senate approves stiffer penalties vs hospitals
demanding deposits". Rappler. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
42. ^ "HOAX: Pangilinan, Hontiveros 'file bill to abolish 13th month pay'". Rappler.
43. ^ Leonen, Julius N. "Hontiveros blasts Palace for 'sheepish response' to China in
WPS". globalnation.inquirer.net.
45. ^ "Press Release - Hontiveros: Senate passes law providing mandatory Philhealth
coverage for PWDs". www.senate.gov.ph.
48. ^ "Duterte is the 'real destabilizer' — Hontiveros". Philippine Daily Inquirer – via
YouTube.
51. ^ "Hontiveros exposes P2B profit from NFA 'tara' system" – via www.youtube.com.
52. ^ Elemia, Camille. "Senate approves bill punishing catcalling, street
harassment". Rappler.
56. ^ "Risa Hontiveros to Duterte: Stop normalizing rape, sexual abuse". GMA News
Online.
57. ^ "Senate minority bloc thumbs down martial law extension in Mindanao". Manila
Bulletin News.
71. ^ "Sedition raps: Solons, bishop hit 'stupid' PNP". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Retrieved July 20, 2019.
72. ^ "DOJ clears Robredo, indicts Trillanes and 10 others for 'conspiracy to commit
sedition'". GMA News. February 10, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
73. ^ "DOJ clears Robredo, charges Trillanes in sedition case". Rappler. February 10,
2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
74. ^ https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/07/20/hontiveros-seeks-creation-of-anti-
overpricing-body-to-police-philhealth-spending
75. ^ "Duque 'can't feign ignorance' of PhilHealth corruption: Hontiveros". August 11,
2020.
82. ^ "Hontiveros seeks relief of entire Jolo police force after deadly bombings".
August 26, 2020.
85. ^ https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/31/20/hontiveros-bats-for-probe-into-mass-
importation-of-ppes
86. ^ "'An affront to the Filipino people': Opposition senators slam Pemberton pardon".
87. ^ "HONTIVEROS PUSHES TO LOWER PRICES OF MEDICINES AMID HEALTH
EMERGENCIES". Senate of the Philippines (Press release). November 5, 2019.
Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
88. ^ [1]
89. ^ "HONTIVEROS' STRENGTHENED ANTI-HOSPITAL DEPOSIT LAW SIGNED
INTO LAW". Senate of the Philippines (Press release). August 4, 2017.
Retrieved August 20, 2020.
90. ^ Jesus, Julliane Love De (August 4, 2017). "Hontiveros thanks Duterte admin for
hiking fines vs abusive hospitals". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the
original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
91. ^ "Hontiveros lauds signing of Mental Health Law, says "Help is finally
here"". Senate of the Philippines (Press release). August 21, 2018. Archived
from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
92. ^ Ager, Maila (June 21, 2018). "Duterte signs PH Mental Health Law". Philippine
Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved August
20, 2020.
93. ^ "Hontiveros: Mothers who delivered on Mar 11 onwards can now avail of
Expanded Maternity Leave Law". Senate of the Philippines. May 2, 2019.
Retrieved July 2, 2020.
95. ^ "Risa Hontiveros: Single and ready to mingle". ABS-CBN News and Current
Affairs. May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
96. ^ "Beauty queen at pamangkin ng pulitiko, papasok sa PBB (Beauty queen and
nephew of a politician to enter in the PBB)". ABS-CBN News. October 29, 2016.
Retrieved October 29, 2016.
External links[edit]
Senator Risa Hontiveros – Senate of the Philippines
Official Facebook page
Official Twitter account
Official Volunteers for Risa Hontiveros website
show
V
T
E
show
V
T
E
Authority VIAF
control 1
WorldCat
Categories:
1966 births
Living people
21st-century Filipino women politicians
Ateneo de Manila University alumni
Filipino activists
Filipino feminists
Filipino journalists
Filipino Roman Catholics
Filipino socialists
GMA News and Public Affairs people
Hiligaynon people
IBC News and Public Affairs people
Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians
Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines for Akbayan
People from Quezon City
Politicians from Metro Manila
Senators of the 17th Congress of the Philippines
Senators of the 18th Congress of the Philippines
Women members of the Senate of the Philippines
Women members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Navigation menu
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Article
Talk
Read
Edit
View history
Search
窗体顶端
窗体底端
Main page
Contents
Current events
Random article
About Wikipedia
Contact us
Donate
Contribute
Help
Learn to edit
Community portal
Recent changes
Upload file
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Cite this page
Wikidata item
Print/export
Download as PDF
Printable version
In other projects
Wikimedia Commons
Languages
العربية
Français
Bahasa Indonesia
Bahasa Melayu
Nederlands
Русский
Tagalog
5 more
Edit links
This page was last edited on 21 November 2021, at 16:06 (UTC).
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site,
you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit
organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Mobile view
Developers
Statistics
Cookie statement