MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros has confirmed her decision to join the Senate minority bloc in the 20th Congress, aligning herself with a group led by Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III—despite past disagreements on key social issues.
Hontiveros made the announcement on Monday, stating that while she and Sotto have differed on legislation such as the divorce bill and gender equality measures, they share a common goal of providing checks and balances in the Senate.
“I am joining the Senate minority with full awareness of our differences, but also with full trust in our shared commitment to hold the administration accountable,” Hontiveros said.
The new minority bloc includes Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, and Minority Leader Sotto himself. The group is expected to serve as a critical voice in the chamber amid a majority coalition seen as supportive of the Marcos administration.
Hontiveros said she believes a robust and principled opposition is essential to ensure that all legislation will be thoroughly scrutinized and that dissenting views will continue to be represented in the upper house.
The bloc is set to outline its legislative agenda and priorities in the coming days.
