Joseph Azil Buena

Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed optimism over talks of a possible realignment of the minority bloc in the upcoming 20th Congress, especially with the re-election of senators-elect Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, during a Kapihan sa Senado media briefing on May 21.


When asked about expectations following the comeback of Aquino and Pangilinan, Hontiveros shared that their presence could strengthen the opposition in the Senate, possibly paving the way for the revival of the minority bloc.

"Kung may madadagdag sa kasalukuyang minority bloc, baka pwede na kaming mag-vie para sa minority bloc sa 20th Congress din," Hontiveros said.

During the 19th Congress, Hontiveros was one of only two senators who formed the minority bloc in the chamber, the smallest in recent history.

According to Hontiveros, what remains essential is the existence of a "center of gravity" within the next lineup in the Senate, committed to fiscalizing and upholding checks and balances in government.

"Basta ang importante sa akin ay may manatiling isang poste, isang center of gravity na patuloy na mag-check and balance, patuloy na mag-fiscalize—an independent bloc," she stressed.

Hontiveros also revealed that discussions with the two new senators about forming or sustaining such a bloc have been ongoing since last year, though final decisions are still in progress.

Aside from Aquino and Pangilinan, who ran under the ‘genuine opposition’ slate, the 2025 elections also produced six senators-elect allied with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., three backed by former president Rodrigo Duterte, and two who received endorsements from both camps.

Hontiveros stressed that she has no intention of joining the Duterte bloc, which has also been claiming the opposition label following the Marcos-Duterte family feud.

She emphasized that a genuine opposition must continue to exist, one that is independent of both the current and previous administrations.

While collaboration with all Senate colleagues on common advocacies or measures is possible, Hontiveros said that political alignment is a different matter.

“Pwede pong lahat kaming mga colleagues dito sa Senado ay patuloy na makipagtulungan sa mga usapin ng common advocacies, ito man ay proteksyon sa kababaihan, ito man po yung iba pang binanggit kong priority legislative agenda … Pero sa mga usaping politikal at elektoral, ang pinaka-importante ay panatilihin, palawakin at pang palakasin ang pole ng oposisyon,” she said.

Hontiveros also shared her plans, along with her allies, to instead form an independent bloc If the Duterte-aligned senators do claim the minority bloc.

When asked if she could just join the majority instead, the senator ruled out the possibility, saying her consistent position for the past nine years is rooted in providing an alternative voice in the Senate.

“Importanteng manatiling consistent … at magprovide ng alternative pole o center of gravity para sa mga opposition and other independent forces pati sa labas ng Senado,” Hontiveros stressed.

The senator also expressed her interest in the minority leadership as the other minority bloc member and leader Senator Koko Pimentel III will finish his term in the 19th Congress.

“Of course, yun naman yung pangarap ng alin mang minority of an outgoing Congress, lalo na kung nakapagpanalo ng mga dagdag na kaalyadong senador, halimbawa, ay magbuo pa rin ng minority sa susunod na Kongreso,” she explained.