Sen. Risa Hontiveros says that she is “preparing very hard” for a potential presidential bid ahead of the 2028 national elections during a press conference in Iloilo City.
“I am preparing very hard. Working very hard,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros said she will seek support of party and allied groups if she turns out to be a viable choice for the opposition.
“If it turns out that I am the strongest, that I can be elected from our party, then I will talk to the members, the allies in our party,” she said.
Hontiveros called for a united opposition to back a single presidential bid.
“It’s important that [we have] just one. Let’s unite around the strongest one, so that we have a fighting chance,” she added.
Leaders of Akbayan, Magdalo Party-List, Liberal Party, and Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino pledged to field a single bet under “one united democratic opposition,” last June 18.
Certain segments of the opposition have urged Hontiveros to run for president, despite higher ratings for opposing bets.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros trails Vice President Sara Duterte by a wide margin in early surveys ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
A Pulse Asia survey conducted in July showed Duterte leading all hypothetical presidential matchups, with a 60-21 edge over Hontiveros.
An August 2026 survey by Momentum Research found Duterte leading with 45.8%, followed by Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo at 19.5% and Sen. Raffy Tulfo at 13.3%. Sen. Bam Aquino had 3.9%, Sen. Bong Go with 2.4%, and Hontiveros at 2.1%.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the selection of a common candidate should be based on political strength, and not by survey results alone.
She added that the chosen candidate must offer a credible alternative vision for the country’s future.
“We can make the best offer to our countrymen, to our fellow citizens,” she said.
Hontiveros was in Iloilo to address 200 young Filipinos attending the Youth Converge 2026 at PHINMA University of Iloilo.
The event was organized by SAKDAG Philippines to promote youth leadership, civic engagement, and nation-building.
