Hontiveros open to running for president or VP in 2028

Sen. Risa Hontiveros joins a plenary session, August 6, 2025. Joseph B. Vidal, OSP/File 

MANILA — Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she was open to any task the united opposition would give her, including running for president or vice president in 2028. 

Hontiveros gave the statement on Monday, four days after she met with fellow opposition leaders, including former vice president and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, former senator Franklin Drilon, and former budget secretary Butch Abad.  

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Hontiveros clarified that her possible run was not discussed during their gathering and that there were no specific individuals mentioned; just principles and the 2028 elections in general terms. 

“I remain open, I remain willing. At yung condition ko ay yung tulad nung matagal ko na ring sinasabi kung piliin ng united opposition,” Hontiveros said in a press conference when asked if she was still keen on running for president. 

As for the possibility of running for vice president, Hontiveros replied, “I would be willing to take on any task na hihingin ng united opposition.” 

“Kung magkaisa kami sa usaping 2028, palagay ko yun yung magpapalakas nung tsansa namin and kung sino ang buuin naming team or slate para doon, susuportahan ko yun. Nakataya akong gawin ang lahat para mag-materialize yung ganyang scenario. United opposition, strong candidacies,” she added. 

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Hontiveros said their February 5 gathering could be considered a meeting for a united opposition for 2028. 

“Pagpapatuloy nga ito ng matagal nang pag-uusap at siguro, puwedeng ituring na pagkikita muli in that direction. Hindi naman kasi kami nagmamadali sa proseso. Ang importante sa amin eh, lalong patibayin yung pundasyon nung pagkakaisa namin para yun na nga moving forward, we can put our best foot forward at saka yung best ideas namin forward para sa ating mga kababayan,” Hontiveros said. 

The lawmaker said she hoped Filipinos would look for an alternative come the 2028 elections, considering the split of the UniTeam of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. 

“Siguro naman. Mula nang naghati yung UniTeam nila, I think mas naging stark yung ganyang, una gap, o pagkukulang sa ating pambansang eksena. And mas siguro naramdaman ng ating mga kababayan na baka may iba pang alternatibo and umaasa ako na puwede kaming magbuo nun at mag-alok nun,” Hontiveros said. 

Hontiveros said the talks for a united opposition would continue and there would be more formal meetings in the future.