Latest news with #Hontiveros
GMA Network
8 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Senate minority to push for VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial's opening rites
Senator Risa Hontiveros announced Monday that the Senate's minority bloc will formally move during the plenary session this afternoon to start the opening rites in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. At a press conference, Hontiveros said that she and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III will move to allow Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero to take his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court, and to administer the prescribed oath to all members of the Senate as judges of the impeachment court. She said the minority bloc will also move for the Senate to convene as an impeachment court, and for the Articles of Impeachment to be formally presented to the body. 'Wala pa tayo sa trial proper. Opening rites pa lamang. Panunumpa at pormalidad. Hindi ito aabutin ng isang oras. So let's not pretend an hour is too much to ask,' Hontiveros said. (We are not yet in the trial proper. It's only the opening rites, just oath and formality. This will not take an hour. So let's not pretend an hour is too much to ask.) 'We have three full days of session left, which can last up to near midnight as they have in recent days. We may only have three days, but three days is not nothing,' she added. Hontiveros further stressed that the minority will not allow the Senate to ignore the 1987 Constitution with regard to the conduct of the impeachment trial, citing calls from law schools and universities, religious groups, and framers of the 1987 Constitution. 'The Senate must not be heedless and callous to the growing calls for the institution to fulfill its mandate and begin the impeachment trial,' she said. The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. On the same day, the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate but the upper chamber adjourned without addressing the case. The reading of impeachment raps against Duterte was rescheduled on June 11, as the Senate seeks to prioritize the passage of the items in the administration's legislative agenda before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die on June 14. Duterte was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. She has denied the allegations. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Hontiveros sees possible three-way split in 20th congress
Senator Risa Hontiveros said the Senate may see three distinct blocs in the 20th Congress: a majority, a minority, and an independent group. Speaking at a media forum, the opposition senator said the presence of a six-member Duterte-aligned group could reshape the traditional two-bloc setup, especially if the Duterte bloc claims the minority leadership. 'Probable. Kung ibang bloke ang makakuha ng title ng minority, magkakaroon talaga ng independent bloc,' Hontiveros said. The Duterte bloc is composed of senators allied with the family of former President Rodrigo Duterte and has positioned itself as the opposition. Hontiveros emphasized that she has no intention of aligning with that group. 'Wala po akong planong sumali sa isang Duterte bloc,' she said. She added that she hopes to form a bloc with her allies, Senators-elect Bam Aquino and Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan, although discussions on the matter have yet to take place. The upcoming 20th Congress is expected to tackle major issues, including the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The Senate is set to convene as an impeachment court by July, with senators sitting as judges in the historic proceedings.
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Risa eyes independent bloc if Duterte allies in Senate become minority
Senator Risa Hontiveros has no plans of being in one group with senators allied with former President Rodrigo Duterte who branded themselves as the "opposition" to the Marcos administration. During the Kapihan sa Senado on Wednesday, Hontiveros said that if the Duterte-allied senators would establish themselves as the minority bloc in the 20th Congress, her "plan B" is to form an "independent bloc" with her political allies namely, senators-elect Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Bam Aquino. Hontiveros said she is "sure" of the probable scenario that there would be two groups that will seek to be the minority bloc in the upcoming Congress. "Wala po akong planong sumali sa isang Duterte bloc (I have no plans of joining a Duterte bloc)," she said. "Kung makukuha nila 'yung label ng minority, may option pa rin po ako or kami kung mag-decision po kami na isang independent bloc na magpapatuloy talaga sa pag-check and balance, magpapatuloy sa pag-fiscalize, at pati sa labas ng Senado, magpapatuloy sa pagbubuo ng oposisyon—, pareho sa Duterte at sa kina Presidente (Marcos)… As in everything sa pag-organize ng Senate, it's a matter of numbers," she added. (If they get the label of minority, I or we still have the option to form an independent block that will continue doing the checks and balances, continue fiscalizing, even outside of the Senates, and push forward with forming an opposition [like the senators who are allied] with Duterte, and with the President... As in everything related to organizing in the Senate, it's a matter of numbers.) According to Hontiveros, no one has talked to her about the Senate presidency yet. "They haven't talked to us as a group. They haven't talked to me individually… Wala rin text message. Pero take note, ang minority, kahit 'pag hindi kinakausap, nagsasalita," she said. (They haven't talked to us as a group. They haven't talked to me individually... No text messages at all. But take note, the minority speaks even if no one is talking to them.) Impeachment trial In the same press conference, Hontiveros vowed to maintain neutrality and objectivity in voting during the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte. The senator made the remark despite her previous heated exchange and criticism of the Vice President's handling of her offices' confidential and intelligence funds. "Basta impeachment, neutrality of a senator-judge, judging on the basis of the evidence. Gan'un lang. Na-distill na to its essence. And that's it. That's my message to anyone, even to her," she said. (As long as it's about impeachment, it should show the neutrality of a senator-judge judging on the basis of evidence. That's all. Distilled to it essence. And that's it. That's my message to anyone, even to her.) In response to the Vice President saying she wants a "bloodbath" on her impeachment trial, Hontiveros said this term is not in her "vocabulary." "Bilang senator-judge, wala naman sa bokabularyo ko para sa impeachment 'yung ganyang salita (As a senator-judge, those words are not in my vocabulary related to impeachment). But as I said, and I am committed just to have that neutrality demanded of judges, and in particular in the case of impeachment of senator-judges," she said. "The only vocabulary that matters sa impeachment ay… 'yung neutrality and 'yung pagiging senator-judge and voting on the basis of the evidence," she pointed out. (The only vocabulary that matters during impeachment is the neutrality and the senator judge voting on the basis of evidence.) PrimeWater deal Meanwhile, Hontiveros is seeking the launch of the Senate probe into PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.'s services in June. "Pag-resume namin sa Hunyo, inaasahan kong ma-refer siya sa proper committee. And like every other resolution, ifa-follow up ko sa chair na ma-schedule nila ng pagdinig. Kahit isang hearing lang muna ngayong patapos na 19th Congress," she said. (When we resume session in June, I trust it would be referred tot the proper committee. And like every other resolution, I will follow it up with the chair so that the hearing can be scheduled now that the 19th Conress is lemonning.) Asked if it felt awkward to investigate a corporation that is close to the Villars, Hontiveros said, "Mas awkward kung hindi kumilos ang Senate doon (It's more awkward if the Senate doesnt take action on this.)" Hontiveros clarified that it will not only be PrimeWater that will be investigated, but also the two other water concessionaires over the problems in their services. PrimeWater is owned by the Villar family. There are two Villars in the current Congress, namely Senator Mark Villar and her mother, outgoing Senator Cynthia Villar. Senator-elect Camille Villar will replace her mother Cynthia, and she will join her brother Mark in the 20th Congress. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Hontiveros 'open' to possibility of running in 2028 presidential race
Senator Risa Hontiveros said Wednesday that she is not dismissing the possibility of being the opposition's standard bearer in the 2028 presidential elections. Hontiveros made the remark during the Kapihan sa Senado forum when asked if she would consider seeking the presidency three years from now. 'I'm not saying no. I'm open to all possibilities. At yun yung hinihingi ko din sa lahat na mga kasama sa oposisyon or independent bloc na maging bukas kami sa lahat ng possibilities at sa isa't isa, alang-alang sa oposisyon at alang-alang sa ating mga kababayan,' Hontiveros said. (I'm not saying no. I'm open to all possibilities. And that's what I'm asking to those belonging to the opposition or independent bloc to be open to all possibilities and to one another for the sake of the opposition and to our countrymen.) As the 2025 midterm polls just concluded, Hontiveros said her focus is not on the 2028 polls, but more on uniting the allies that supported Akbayan, and senators-elect Francis Pangilinan and Bam Aquino in the next nine months. ''Yung natural competition about it naturally will come somewhere up the road pa. Pero ang priority ko sa ngayon, at sinasabi ko yun sa lahat ng mga kasama at ka-alyado, lalo na itong unang siyam na buwan after the election, pag-isahin talaga. Hamigin. I-consolidate to a greater degree than we were able to do after 2022. Mag-consolidate kami,' Hontiveros said. (My priority right now is unite, consolidate during the first nine months after election. We should consolidate to a greater degree than we were able to do after the 2022 elections.) Now that she has Pangilinan and Aquino in the next Congress, Hontiveros said they will serve as a 'center of gravity that will serve as check and balance' and fiscalizers. While there are newly elected allies, Hontiveros said that they may still have different decisions and stands on various issues. 'Kami lahat ng mga senador dito, we have our own decision-making process, we have our own pananaw. At nagre-respetuhan kami dyan kahit at lalo na sa loob ng tinatawag kong oposisyon…ang optimal senaryo ko ay magsama-sama kami either sa minority or sa independent bloc, sa loob at sa labas ng Senado' she added. (We senators have our own decision-making process, we have our own perspectives. We respect each other, especially those in the opposition. The optimal scenario is we remain together either in the minority or in the independent bloc, in and out of the Senate.) 2026 General Appropriations Act At the same press conference, Hontiveros aired concern on the statement of Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman stating that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. will sit in the budget process for the 2026 General Appropriations Act. 'Kahit willing si Presidente, he cannot. He should not. Hindi pinapayagan niyan ng Constitution. Hindi pinapayagan niyan ng Konstitusyon. The power of the purse is wielded by Congress and Congress alone, not the executive, not any member of the executive, not even the chief executive,' she said. (Even if the President is willing, he cannot. He should not ... that is not allowed by the Constitution.) 'Sapat na na yung executive ay magpadala ng national expenditure program sa House. From then on, it is in the legislature's hands and in our hands alone. Paglabas sa bicam na dalawang panel lang ang uupo, saka lang magkakapapel ulit ang Office of the President to either sign or line item veto,' she added. (It's enough that the executive sends the National Expenditure Program to the House (of Representatives). From then on, it is in the legislature's hands and in our hands alone. After the bicam, it is only then that the Office of the President acts up again, either to sign or line item veto [the budget bill].) Meanwhile, the opposition senator vowed to refile bills on SOGIESC, dissolution of marriage, and anti-teenage pregnancy in the 20th Congress should it fail to be approved before the end of the 19th Congress on June 13. She will also seek retaining the chairmanship of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality in the next Congress. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Harry Roque denied of flight to US from Japan, BI says
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was reportedly denied travel to the United States from Japan, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said on Tuesday, March 4. BI officials revealed the information when Senator Risa Hontiveros sought updates on Roque's whereabouts in a Senate hearing. 'Where, for God's sake, is Harry Roque?' Hontiveros said, grilling BI officials. 'Why is it that he appears to be so free to post anything on social media, seemingly mocking the administration and the authorities while avoiding arrest for charges,' the lawmaker added. Manahan said the BI found information that Roque, who has an outstanding arrest order from the House of Representatives, was in Japan and attempted to book a flight to the US. 'Hindi po siya nakaalis. [He was] supposed to be bound for US pero denied flight, denied check in. Wala rin naman holdings ang Japan Police or Japan Immigration,' Manahan said. The bureau, however, did not reveal any information on how Roque reached Japan. Citing her own sources, Hontiveros said Roque travelled from Dubai to Shanghai on December 8, 2024 and stayed for a day before travelling to Macau. But BI officials said they do not have validated proof to back the senator's information. 'The last information that we had on the couple, the Roques, umalis po ng (they left from) Singapore —[the] wife— [and was] bound for Dubai. There's also a sighting of Harry Roque in Dubai,' Manahan said. The BI admitted that it currently has no information about Roque and his wife Mylah's whereabouts. In response to Hontiveros, Roque said he has the right to travel since he is only avoiding the House of Representatives and not a criminal case. 'Flight from a congressional contempt, I wish to underscore, cannot be the evidence of anything. As DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, I am being pursued not as a criminal or fugitive but as a resource person. Having said this, I have no hold departure order and have the right to travel,' he said in a statement. Hontiveros was quick to reply, noting that he admitted to evading a summons from the House. 'In his own words, he explains his extended disappearance as 'flight from a congressional contempt.' That is a clear admission of his liability for the crime of disobedience to summons by Congress under Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code,' the lawmaker said. Roque and his wife are implicated in the qualified human trafficking case against Cassandra Li Ong and other alleged illegal activities of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub, Lucky South 99. The House cited Roque in contempt and ordered detained for refusing to submit documents over his supposed unexplained wealth.
