Sen. Risa Hontiveros joins the Sotto-led Senate minority for 20th Congress
• Senator Risa Hontiveros has confirmed she will join the emerging minority bloc in the 20th Congress, abandoning her earlier plan to form an independent group
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• In a report by GMA News, Sen. Riza said that despite joining the formal opposition, she will remain "independent-minded," acknowledging potential differences on certain social issues within the new bloc
• Hontiveros's move is seen as a strategic effort to strengthen and amplify the collective voice of the opposition in the upcoming legislative term
• The formation of this new minority, with Senator Tito Sotto at its core, is expected to play a vital check-and-balance role as the 20th Congress commences its work
Veteran legislator Senator Risa Hontiveros has officially declared her intention to join the nascent minority bloc in the Philippine Senate for the upcoming 20th Congress.
Source: Instagram
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The announcement, made just hours before the legislative body convenes on Monday, July 28, 2025, signals a shift from her earlier contemplation of forming an independent opposition group, and solidifies a new power dynamic within the upper chamber.
Senator Hontiveros confirmed her decision during a press briefing, articulating a change in strategy driven by the evolving political landscape within the Senate.
"My initial plan to form an independent bloc will no longer push through," Hontiveros stated, explaining, "I will be part of the minority."
Her pivot comes after observing the formation of a distinct opposition bloc, prompting her to reconsider her approach to fiscalizing the incoming majority.
The emerging opposition group is widely understood to be coalescing around the leadership of returning Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. Sotto, a seasoned lawmaker who has also been a contender for the Senate presidency in recent weeks, is associated with a "veterans bloc" that includes influential figures such as Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, and Lito Lapid.
While Hontiveros acknowledges potential differences on specific social legislation with Senator Sotto, she affirmed her commitment to maintaining her unique legislative perspective.
"It is true that Senator Sotto and I may have differences on some social bills... And there is no problem if, on an issue-to-issue basis, we do not always have the same position. I have always been and I will remain an independent-minded senator," she emphasized, assuring the public of her continued principled stand.
This move by Hontiveros is particularly significant given her history in the Senate.
During the recently concluded 19th Congress, she, alongside then-Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, largely comprised the active opposition, often serving as a critical voice against administration policies.
Her decision to join a more formally structured minority bloc for the 20th Congress suggests a strategic effort to consolidate opposition forces and amplify their collective voice.
The role of the minority bloc in the Senate is crucial for a healthy democracy. It serves as a vital check and balance, scrutinizing the actions of the majority, questioning legislative proposals, and presenting alternative policy directions.
A robust opposition ensures accountability, promotes transparency, and provides a platform for dissenting views to be heard, all of which are essential for a functioning legislative branch.
As the 20th Congress officially commences its first regular session, the formation of its leadership and constituent blocs, particularly the minority, will be closely watched.
The dynamics between the newly configured majority, expected to be led by Senate President Francis Escudero, and this emerging Sotto-led minority with Hontiveros as a key member, will define the legislative agenda and the tenor of political discourse in the coming years.
Senator Hontiveros's decision marks a notable development as lawmakers prepare to tackle pressing national issues and fulfill their constitutional mandates.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
