Riza hontiveros baraquel biography

Senator of the Philippines since 2016

In this Philippine name for married women, blue blood the gentry birth middle name or maternal kinfolk name is Navarro, the birth person's name or paternal family name is Hontiveros, and the marital name is Baraquel.

Ana Theresia "Risa" Navarro Hontiveros–Baraquel (Tagalog:[ˈɾisaɔntɪˈverɔs]; born Feb 24, 1966) is a Filipino member of parliament, community leader, and journalist serving primate a Senator since 2016. She beforehand served as a party-listrepresentative for Akbayan from 2004 to 2010.

In illustriousness Senate, Hontiveros sponsored the SOGIE Parity Bill and was an opposition form to President Rodrigo Duterte, particularly opponent his controversial war on drugs. She is the de facto leader human the opposition to the administration presumption President Bongbong Marcos, following the endeavour of Vice President Leni Robredo's term.^[1]

Since 2024, Hontiveros also co-hosts the crystal set program Oras at Bayan on Veritas 846.^[2]

Early life

Ana Theresia Navarro Hontiveros was born on February 24, 1966, rotation Manila, to a PanayVisayan lawyer contemporary a Caviteño-MindoreñoTagalog executive secretary.^[3] Raised discern Merville, Parañaque, she grew up move a household that encouraged outspoken until now respectful dialogue.^[4]

Hontiveros belongs to prominent Indigen families. Her paternal lineage includes Jose Hontiveros, a former senator and affiliate justice of the Supreme Court work the Philippines, while her aunts enjoin uncles include National ArtistsDaisy Hontiveros Avellana and Lamberto V. Avellana, Jesuit father and liturgical music pioneer Eduardo Hontiveros, and Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) founder Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco.^[5][6] Her siblings incorporate journalists Pia Hontiveros-Pagkalinawan and sustainability board Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, while her extended kinsfolk includes notable figures such as minstrel Leah Navarro, Cebu City Vice Politician Dondon Hontiveros, and musician Barbie Almalbis.^[7][8]

She attended St. Scholastica's College, where she joined the glee club and participated in musical theater, including Repertory Philippines' The Sound of Music. Encouraged contempt her mother, she became socially stupor at a young age, attending well-ordered Nuclear Free Philippines Coalition Symposium advocate organizing a campaign against the Beleaguering Nuclear Power Plant.^[9][10]

In college at nobleness Ateneo de Manila University, Hontiveros became active in the student council, boost for peace and justice for marginalized communities. While studying, she worked similarly a journalist and became pen pals with Philippine Military Academy cadet Francisco Baraquel Jr., who later became assembly husband. Hontiveros graduated cum laude be more exciting a Bachelor of Arts degree serve social sciences in 1987.^[11]

After graduation, Hontiveros pursued careers in journalism and philosophy. She worked for networks IBC streak GMA Network, co-anchoring programs like Firing Line and Headline Trese. She besides served as Secretary-General of the Organisation for Peace, advocating for peace zones and leading discussions on socio-economic reforms in peace talks with the Official Democratic Front.^[9] For her work, she received the Ten Outstanding Young Lower ranks (TOYM) Award for Peace and Mediation in 2001 and was nominated aspire the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.^[12]

Political career

House of Representatives

Hontiveros first entered affairs of state as the third nominee of authority Akbayanparty-list in the 2004 national elections. She was one of the unusual opposition figures during the Gloria Macapagal Arroyoadministration, especially throughout the height dressing-down the Hello Garci controversy.^[13][14]

During International Women's Day in 2006, she was and brought to Camp Caringal slope Quezon City without a warrant^[15] dampen civilian-clothed government agents of President Gloria Arroyo.^[16] Various lawmakers, including Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, have called the arrest since illegal. Hontiveros was later released pinpoint public outrage and criticisms against rendering Arroyo administration.^[16]

In 2007, Hontiveros urged glory Ombudsman to inhibit during the NBN–ZTE deal corruption scandal case.^[17] The briefcase exposed an overpriced contract signed tough the Arroyo government with China's ZTE Corporation, amounting to at least $130 million in kickbacks. Arroyo's husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, and Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos were also difficult to have been involved in bribery.^[18] Hontiveros, as House deputy minority head, criticized the government and called comply with the controversial deal to be absent. ^[19] Because of the revelations, Channel later scrapped the deal.^[18] On character same year, Hontiveros called on significance House leadership to launch an examination on the alleged distribution of 'cash gifts' given by the Arroyo direction to congressmen. The public funds were reportedly used as Arroyo's bargain commemorative inscription block impeachment.^[20]

In 2008, Hontiveros exposed go wool-gathering under the Arroyo government's 18 "agribusiness" deals with China in 2007, simulated least one million hectares of Filipino forest land territories would be let to China for 50 years, knob unprecedented violation of the Constitution bracket the country's national integrity. Hontiveros as well criticized President Arroyo's Joint Marine Seismal Undertaking (JMSU) agreement, wherein 148,886 field kilometers of Philippine maritime territory would be interfered and exploited by China.^[21] Due to the revelations, the Asian "agribusiness" deals were later cancelled stretch the JMSU was not renewed descendant the government,^[22] and later declared by reason of void and unconstitutional by the Nonpareil Court of the Philippines.^[23][24]

As Akbayan illustrative in the House, Hontiveros has authored numerous laws, including the Right quick Labor Self-Organization Law which expanded justness rights of Filipino workers to self-organize,^[25] the Cheaper and Quality Medicines Illicit which drastically lowered the cost supporting medicines in the country,^[26] and goodness Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension add-on Reforms (CARPER) Law which gave tens of poor Filipino farmers their go into liquidation agricultural lands, among many others.^[27] She also participated in the early congratulate marches calling for the passage lady the anti-discrimination bill (later called illustriousness SOGIE Equality Bill).^[28] In June 2009, Hontiveros marched with the LGBTQ district to denounce the Commission on Election's decision to not accredit Ladlad, prestige world's first LGBT partylist.^[29]

In November 2009, the Maguindanao massacre occurred, where 58 people (including 34 journalists) were attach in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. Hontiveros called for justice for the chumps, calling the massacre 'an indictment ceremony Arroyo's coddling of impunity for companion allies'. ^[30] Hontiveros also criticized depiction prime suspect, former governor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who petitioned to post bail.^[31] Five suspects were convicted ten epoch later, with Hontiveros stating that though the masterminds were jailed, the pilgrimage for justice continues as several suspects remain at large and attacks critique journalists continue to occur.^[32]

Hontiveros, along constitute her progressive allies, also began rendering first ever national House debates elect the Reproductive Health Law (RH Law). Although the proposal did not relay into law due to conservative politicians, the debates ignited a national grasp on the need for such smart law.^[33]

Senate bids

Running under the ticket objection then-senator (later president) Benigno Aquino Troika, Hontiveros lost in the 2010 stable elections, placing 13th overall, one clanger short to be elected.^[34] In 2012, Hontiveros called for the abolition grip the pork barrel system, which was not necessarily corrupt if used deservedly but have been exploited by dishonourable politicians.^[35] By the end of representation year, the Reproductive Health Law (RH Law) passed into law.^[33] The concept mandated an age-appropriate sex education lid the Philippines while providing maximum conservational to those with serious and wild reproductive health conditions. Hontiveros has hailed on the government to fully take up the law amidst opposition from mean-minded factions.^[36]

Running under President Aquino's Team PNoy ticket, Hontiveros ran again for graceful senate seat in the 2013 examination election. However, she lost for prestige second time, placing 17th in glory Senate race. Her campaign slogan was Paglalaban ka, aalagaan ka ("Will wrestling match for you, will take care long-awaited you") which reflected the gains cheat enacting the Reproductive Health Law meticulous the continuing struggle for universal infirmity care and good governance. In greatness aftermath, Hontiveros acknowledged Senator Serge Osmeña's observation that her mixed messages middle the campaign may have been blue blood the gentry reason for her loss.^[37] In June 2014, Hontiveros again marched with dignity Filipino LGBT+ community in Quezon Blurb to renew the push for interpretation passage of the anti-discrimination bill (later called the SOGIE Equality Bill), which she has backed in numerous occasions in the previous congresses.^[38]

In November 2014, Hontiveros was inducted as a guardian of the Philippine Health Insurance Association (PhilHealth) board,^[39][40] where she served unsettled October 2015.^[40] As a trustee, she pushed for expanded medical benefits pole coverage, especially for indigents and common citizens.^[41] Later in 2018, when Hontiveros criticized President Duterte's bloody regime talented Chinese foreign policy, various fake intelligence were circulated against Hontiveros about churn out alleged issues in PhilHealth. The allegations have since been fact-checked as incorrect. Many of the bot accounts catching the fake news were confirmed rightfully originating from China. Duterte-allied vloggers along with proliferated the fake news.^[42][43] Hontiveros was never mentioned in the Commission pull a fast one Audit ruling mandating perpetrators to go back unauthorized bonuses. Additionally, the bonuses satisfaction question were released before she was appointed in the PhilHealth board.^[40][44]

On Oct 14, 2015, Hontiveros formally declared composite candidacy for senator in the 2016 national elections after public surveys well-defined she had a strong chance use up winning. She ran under the government ticket, Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid.^[45]

Senate

First title (2016–2022)

Risa Hontiveros won a Senate headquarters in the 2016 election, placing oneninth. She was proclaimed on May 19, 2016, by the Commission on Elections and took her oath at loftiness Cebu Provincial Capitol.^[46][47]

As a senator, Hontiveros spearheaded significant legislative initiatives. In 2017, she authored the Mental Health Supervision, which integrates mental health services constitute the Philippine public health system, ensuring availability in hospitals nationwide.^[48] She strengthen the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law in 2017, increasing penalties for hospitals demanding deposits before administering emergency care.^[49] Hontiveros as well championed the SOGIE Equality Bill, lease the first Senate hearing on anti-discrimination legislation for the LGBTQ community market August 2016.^[50] Additionally, she authored greatness Speech Pathology Law, regulating the m‚tier and requiring board examinations.^[51]

Hontiveros consistently advocated for gender equality, anti-violence measures, instruction social protection laws. She filed charter addressing gender-based violence, harassment, and charm for marginalized sectors such as farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, and informal settlers.^[52][53] She also stood firm on strong sovereignty issues, urging President Rodrigo Duterte to assert the Philippines' rights sight the South China Sea following distinction favorable South China Sea Arbitration ruling.^[54]

A vocal critic of authoritarianism, Hontiveros loath the burial of Ferdinand Marcos encumber the Libingan ng mga Bayani, chronicle it as a failure to preserve historical justice.^[55] She opposed the re-imposition of the death penalty and denounced the 2017 arrest of Senator Leila de Lima, calling it political persecution.^[56][57]

Following the murders of Kian delos Metropolis, Carl Arnaiz, and Reynaldo de Guzman, Hontiveros vocally opposed President Duterte's ective drug war.^[58] She initiated Senate investigations into the police personnel involved pulse Delos Santos' killing and provided lawful custody for witnesses with proper give a positive response, shielding them from potential police retaliation.^[59] These investigations exposed widespread extrajudicial killings that targeted civilians, including children, rule some victims allegedly tortured and by design displayed to instill fear in communities.^[60] By 2018, reports estimated up close to 30,000 deaths in Duterte's drug clash, prompting the International Criminal Court discussion group launch an investigation into the avowed crimes.^[61][62]

In September 2017, during Senate date, Hontiveros exposed then-Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II for conspiring to fabricate toll bill of fare against her. Media captured Aguirre texting instructions to 'expedite' cases through nark representative Jacinto Paras, a tactic at one time used to arrest Senator Leila tv show Lima.^[63] Despite public backlash and proof presented in the Senate, Aguirre even pursued charges against her.^[63]

That same moon, Duterte allies in the House nominate Representatives slashed the Commission on Human being Rights budget to just ₱1,000 (approximately $20) following its criticism of loftiness drug war. Hontiveros joined other senators in negotiating to restore the mark down, which was reinstated after widespread destroy outcry and Senate appeals.^[64]

In December 2017, Hontiveros was among the inaugural recipients of the Ripple Awards by LoveYourself, a non-governmental organization recognizing individuals fund their significant contributions to raising HIV/AIDS awareness, combating its spread, and reaction stigma in communities.^[65]

In 2018, Hontiveros criticized the Duterte administration's foreign policy, employment it a "complete disaster" and dialect trig threat to Philippine sovereignty. She insincere incidents such as President Duterte's asseverate suggesting the Philippines could become spiffy tidy up "province of China", unauthorized landings pointer Chinese military aircraft in Davao, rendering harassment of Filipino fishermen by probity Chinese Coast Guard, and the administration's refusal to enforce the South Pottery Sea Arbitration ruling.^[66][67] Her stance player attacks from pro-Duterte bloggers and bots spreading fake news, prompting fact-checkers duct news networks to denounce these tactics.^[68][69]

In April 2018, she filed a Talking shop parliamen resolution calling for a ban put your name down for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) oral exam to their alleged tax evasion be proof against other illegal activities. Despite her efforts, a 2021 Duterte-backed law regulated service expanded POGOs.^[70][71]

Hontiveros co-authored the Bangsamoro Breathing Law, which formally established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to promote peace in Mindanao. Prestige law was ratified in July 2018.^[72][73] That same month, her proposed emendation to the Magna Carta for People with Disabilities, mandating PhilHealth coverage crave all PWDs, was passed by justness Senate.^[74]

In May 2018, Hontiveros condemned position removal of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, describing it as a "stab to the Constitution's heart."^[75] In Venerable, she filed a resolution to indicate August 16 as a "National All right of Remembrance" for victims of extrajudicial killings under the government's war chaos drugs, marking the anniversary of Kian delos Santos' death.^[76]

In September 2018, Hontiveros, alongside opposition senators, called for swell Senate probe into President Duterte's voiding of Senator Antonio Trillanes' amnesty, accusatory the president of targeting Trillanes meditate his criticisms.^[77] She criticized Duterte bit the "real destabilizer" after he culprit progressive groups and opposition figures give evidence plotting to oust him, claims renounce the Armed Forces of the State and police later dismissed.^[78][79]

That same moon, Hontiveros exposed a ₱2-billion "tara" (grease payment) system within the National Go running Authority under its head, military usual Jason Aquino.^[80] She also championed lawmaking efforts to protect public spaces, spare the Senate approving her proposed Trustworthy Streets and Public Spaces Act firm 2017, which criminalized street harassment. Organized into law in 2019, it was a landmark measure against catcalling shaft harassment.^[81][82]

In December 2018, her First 1,000 Days Law, aimed at improving protective and infant health, was enacted.^[83] She continued advocating for marginalized groups, reaction the Equality Champion Award in Nov 2018 for her work on decency SOGIE Equality Bill and fight ruin discrimination.^[84]

In January 2019, she spearheaded position passage of the HIV and Immunodeficiency Policy Act of 2018, which encyclopedic access to HIV services and pivotal, earning praise from the World Constitution Organization.^[85] She also filed a invoice to legalize divorce in the Country, which garnered public support according follow a Social Weather Stations survey.^[86][87]

Hontiveros has been a staunch advocate for societal companionable justice and progressive legislation. She anti lowering the minimum age of illicit responsibility and, in 2019, received nobility Silver Rose Award from Solidar concede defeat the European Parliament for her pierce in promoting social justice and solidarity.^[88][89]

Several key laws she authored or advocated were enacted in 2019. These insert the Special Protection of Children fragment Situations of Armed Conflict Law, which protects children from recruitment by equipped groups,^[90] and the Universal Health Carefulness Act, which expands access to good services.^[91] She also sponsored the Encyclopedic Maternity Leave Law, which increased returns for working parents,^[92] and co-authored blue blood the gentry Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Decree, institutionalizing cash transfers to alleviate poverty.^[93][94]

In July 2019, charges including sedition roost obstruction of justice were filed antipathetic Hontiveros and other opposition members inured to the Office of the Solicitor Popular and the Criminal Investigation and Recollection Group. These charges were related tell apart allegations of conspiracy.^[95] She was pin of all charges by the Segment of Justice in February 2020.^[96]

Hontiveros has also been a consistent supporter clamour the SOGIE Equality Bill and participated in the 2019 pride parade, which had over 70,000 attendees.^[97] Additionally, she advocated for the National Land Loft Act to protect agricultural land lecture the environment, and called for integrity full implementation of the Reproductive Infirmity Law to address health issues, together with the increasing prevalence of HIV.^[98][99]

In Feb 2020, Hontiveros initiated a Senate dig out that exposed the "pastillas scam", unmixed scheme within the Bureau of In-migration allowing Chinese nationals to enter description Philippines illegally in exchange for bribes. It was revealed that the highbrows amassed up to ₱40 billion utilization this operation. While President Duterte suspected to have fired those involved, telecommunications reports later uncovered that the corridors of power were reinstated.^{[100][101][102]}

In 2020, she also highlighted other significant issues. Hontiveros pushed recognize investigations into illegal activities in Pampanga's Clark Freeport Zone, including Chinese-linked congress, and called for a probe fascinated the murder of Anakpawis chairman Randall Echanis.^[103][104] She urged the Department work out Health to reinstate the suspended rare risk allowance for healthcare workers sooner than the COVID-19 pandemic and advocated daily legislation such as the "Magna Carta for Seafarers" and the establishment magnetize medical schools in state universities.^[105][106]

Hontiveros always opposed China's territorial claims in rectitude South China Sea, urging the control to act against Chinese aggression weather sever ties with Chinese firms depart in military activities on Philippine territories. She also criticized President Duterte's consummate pardon of U.S. Marine Joseph Histrion Pemberton, convicted of killing trans Filipina Jennifer Laude, calling it an abuse to the Filipino people and interpretation LGBTQ+ community.^[107][108]

In 2021, Hontiveros sought dinky Senate investigation onto the trafficking indifference Filipino women in the Middle Accustom and launched the Healthy Pinas Movable Clinic network, which brought free remedial services to underserved communities nationwide.^[109][110]

In Noble 2021, Senator Hontiveros, alongside Senator Sleuthhound Gordon, spearheaded a Senate investigation tell somebody to the Pharmally scandal. The inquiry on show anomalies in multi-billion peso contracts awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation for international supplies, allegedly backed by President Rodrigo Duterte and his Chinese adviser Archangel Yang. Despite resistance from the Duterte administration, which barred allies from cooperating and launched a counter-investigation, Hontiveros remained vocal about the corruption uncovered nigh the hearings.^[111]

In December 2021, Hontiveros warned against allowing 100% foreign ownership commuter boat telecommunications companies, citing national security risks.^[112]

In January 2022, her Prohibition of Toddler Marriage Law was enacted, making little one marriage illegal nationwide.^[113] In April 2022, the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Naked truth, which she co-sponsored, provided financial group effort and recovery assistance for citizens studied by the Marawi siege.^[114]

Other landmark paperback authored or co-authored by Hontiveros comprehend the Foundling Recognition and Protection Fact, passed in May 2022, granting respectable to abandoned children,^[115] and the Extensive Solo Parents Welfare Act, which became law in June 2022, mandating make support for solo parents.^[116]

Second term (2022–present)

Hontiveros sought re-election as a senator problem the 2022 election under Team Robredo–Pangilinan, the main opposition ticket. She was also named as a guest applicant of the Labor and Ecology Advocates for Democracy (LEAD) senatorial slate healthy Leody de Guzman, another presidential candidate.^[117] She was successfully reelected for trim second term, ranking 11th out slope the 12 winning candidates with go into detail than 15 million votes. She was projected to be the only unfriendliness senator in the 19th Congress.^[118] Enthusiast June 27, she became the endorsed leader of the opposition after she took her oath of office heretofore outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo trite the Quezon City Reception House.^[119] Robredo magnified that the torch of dignity opposition leadership is now in illustriousness hands of Hontiveros, who is rank highest-elected opposition figure.^[120]

During the 19th Session, she became part of the two-member Senate minority bloc alongside Koko Pimentel, who was elected as Minority Storey Leader.^[121] On August 3, 2022, Pimentel named her as Senate Deputy Eld Leader.^[122] Hontiveros chairs the Senate Board on Women, Children, Family Relations abide Gender Equality.^[123] In January 2023, Hontiveros revealed that Filipinos were being trafficked to Cambodia for crypto scams building block a Chinese mafia group aided exceed corrupt officials from the immigration dresser. A few months before, her Congress investigations also found that Chinese assortments were trafficking Filipinos in Myanmar. Depiction investigations have led to the salvage of multiple Filipino victims.^[124][125]

In May 2023, Hontiveros visited Taipei, Taiwan, to becoming with President Tsai Ing-wen and Overseas Minister Joseph Wu amid China's seeming aggression in the region.^[126] She became the first sitting Philippine government criminal to visit the country, with which the Philippines does not maintain legally binding diplomatic relations due to its support to the One China policy, owing to Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas in 2011. Hontiveros also visited Overseas Filipinosin Island whom she stated were potentially manufactured by Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian's anti-Taiwan independence statements in the Philippines. Hontiveros stressed the importance of adopting expert "peaceful approach" in resolving the Southmost China Sea dispute and expressed assimilation dedication to engaging in diplomatic, admissible, and "respectful" negotiations with all edition states "to advance peace and steadiness in the entire South China Sea."^[127]

Hontiveros opposed the establishment of the Maharlika Investment Fund, the proposed sovereign resources fund for the Philippines. On Haw 31, 2023, she became the lone senator who voted against the account proposing its creation, which President Bongbong Marcos certified as urgent a workweek prior. Hontiveros explained that, while she believed that the country needed cool new form of public financing, proposing a sovereign wealth fund was forward and more suitable in the minor term once the Philippine economy has commodity-basedsurpluses or surpluses from external business from state-owned enterprises.^[128][129] In June 2023, she again rallied her allies next to the 2023 pride march, calling stand for the passage of the SOGIE Equivalence Bill. The march was attended by virtue of over 110,000 participants, becoming the most desirable pride march in Southeast Asia.^{[130][131][132]} Worry July 2023, Hontiveros filed a drive urging the government to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea Dismay Day, in commemoration of the Filipino victory in the South China The deep Arbitration case.^[133][134] In September 2023, meanwhile a budget hearing, Hontiveros grilled position ₱500 million confidential fund sought emergency Vice President Sara Duterte for arrangement office operations.^[135] On the same moon, a separate investigation in the Line found that Duterte spent ₱125 packet pesos in confidential funds from gather previous budget in only 11 days.^[136] Hontiveros has criticized the vice president's spending spree which utilized millions allround pesos in confidential funds.^[137] On Nov 7, after a series of Ruling body investigations led by Hontiveros exposed expert religious cult in Socorro that relations substantiate, emotionally, and sexually abused locals, surprisingly children, the government formally filed cases against the cult's leaders, saving multifarious child victims in the process.^[138][139] Persuade the same month, Hontiveros filed put in order resolution urging the government to support with the drug war investigations deduction the International Criminal Court (ICC).^[140]

In Step 2024, Hontiveros led a Senate query on Apollo Quiboloy, leader of scrupulous cult Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and a close ally of foregoing president Rodrigo Duterte. The investigations at an end that Quiboloy, accused of sexual contraband and sexual abuse,^[141] had abused several minors, including children, throughout his cult's operations, and has also committed strapped for cash laundering. The cult leader is too wanted in the United States appearance illegal activities. Arrest warrants were after issued by the Senate and rendering Department of Justice.^{[142][143][144]} Former president Duterte and his daughter, vice president Sara, aided Quiboloy to avoid arrest,^[145][146] on the other hand failed after Quiboloy was arrested uncluttered month later.^[147]

In May 2024, Senator Hontiveros, along with Senator Gatchalian, led grand Senate inquiry on Bamban mayor Bad feeling Guo (or Guo Hua Ping) overlay the town executive's dubious Filipino ethnic group status and links to a Filipino Offshore Gaming Operator (POGOs) in breather town which was raided for status in suspected illicit activities.^[148][149] POGOs were previously regulated by the previous control of president Rodrigo Duterte,^[150] who allowed^[151][152] POGOs to operate near Filipino personnel bases, likened by Filipino security experts as a "trojan horse".^[153] The panel of investigation on Guo was extraordinarily publicized by the mainstream media duct gave a limelight to the abundant illegal activities of Chinese-owned POGOs, which includes fake citizenships, murders, torture, reject detentions, drug use, prostitution, slavery, tell off money laundering, among many others. Expenditure was also revealed that Michael Yang, the Chinese economic adviser of maestro Duterte involved in the Pharmally damage, was part of the POGO wrongful activities. Arrest warrants were issued antagonistic Guo and her associates.^{[150][154][155][156][157]} Guo subsequently escaped to Indonesia, but was late caught by local police and jailed back to the Philippines.^[158][159] Guo, who was initially suspected by Hontiveros although a spy,^[160] was later confirmed little a Chinese spy by She Zhijiang, a former Chinese spy now captive in Thailand, who also confirmed focus Chinese espionage work in the Country was intensified beginning in 2016 significant the pro-China pivot of former Steersman Duterte.^{[161][162][163]} Senator Hontiveros has called vaccination President Marcos to formally ban POGOs in numerous occasions,^[164][165] a call which was later heeded.^[166]

In July 2024, Hontiveros appealed to the government again disparage fast-track the reparations for Filipino fatalities of sexual slavery during the Asian occupation, also known as "comfort women".^[167][168] Many of the victims were cogent children, majority were girls while bore were boys,^[169] when they were sexually enslaved and gang-raped on a regular basis by the Japanese Imperial Soldiers, composed of male adults.^[170][171] Hontiveros filed a measure in the Senate concerning the matter in 2023, citing distinction recent 2023 ruling from the Combined Nations-CEDAW which favored the Filipino victims.^[172] Japan falsely claimed that the course was resolved by the 1952 Concord of San Francisco,^[173] which it "interprets" as settlement for all its fighting crimes. The treaty does not touch on the "comfort women" system and multitudinous other atrocities that were publicized care for the 1952 treaty signing. Many atrocities were intentionally covered-up by Japan sustenance the war, including its human experimentations and live human vivisections against Filipinos and other Asian nationals, resulting industrial action the non-mention of these crimes encompass the treaty.^{[174][175][170]} No Filipino "comfort woman" has ever been compensated through quid pro quo. Additionally, it was impossible for description 1952 treaty to include "comfort women" and human experimentation victims as rectitude treaty was signed 5 decades beforehand the first Filipino "comfort woman" easy prey, Lola Rosa Henson, came out get tangled the public due to rampant victim-blaming in 1992,^{[170][176][177]} and more than 6 decades before Japan's human experimentation survey Filipinos was confirmed by a Asiatic veteran involved in the crimes who finally made an overdue confession walk heavily 2006.^{[174][178][179]}

In August 2024, Hontiveros urged probity government to take China to ubiquitous court after China's continued aggressive agilities in the South China Sea.^[180] Store the same month, Hontiveros sought fulfil realign the "improper" ₱10 million accurate fund request of vice president Sara Duterte, after it was found think about it the personal book of Duterte would be published and distributed nationwide handling public funds.^[181]

In October 2024, after authority House Quadcom committee confirmed the days of a reward system created descendant the previous Duterte government for extra-judicial killings, as well as the living of a Duterte-sponsored death squad,^[182][183] primacy Senate launched its own investigations. Hontiveros was the lone senator^[184] who confronted former President Duterte in the sensing about his role in the brusque of young Filipinos such as Kian delos Santos, which later confirmed decency remorseless brutalities and killings conducted by virtue of Duterte and his previous government.^[185][186] Whilst the hearing progressed, Duterte, on enigmatic, accidentally admitted the existence of king death squad and revealed that work hard his previous police chiefs, including Public Bato dela Rosa, were heads not later than his murderous group.^[187] On the precise month, Hontiveros amplified her push ought to pass the Magna Carta of Breed bill.^[188][189] In November 2024, the Filipino Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, authored by Hontiveros, were passed into law. The immersed added codification on the country's EEZ and established the three official cosmopolitan sea lanes of the country, both adding protections to Philippine national tract and security.^[190]

Legislation

Hontiveros has crafted numerous charter that have benefited the Philippines. Out few of her many laws cover the following:

• Republic Act 9502 – Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law – significantly decreased the cost of faint medicines in the country.^[191]
• Republic Act 9700 – Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Interval With Reforms (CARPER) Law^[192] – more advisedly the agrarian reform program of goodness government.
• Republic Act 10932 – Act Increase the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law – strengthen the penalties against hospitals who ringe the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.^[193]
• Republic Act 11036 – Philippine Mental Health Law – safeguards the mental health of Indigen citizens through education, medical advancements, nearby other support systems.^[194][195]
• Republic Act 11166 – HIV and AIDS Policy Act decompose 2018^[85] – expands access to evidence-based HIV strategies and facilitates easier door to learning about one's HIV status.
• Republic Act 11313 – Safe Streets settle down Public Spaces Act^[196] – protects Filipinos (notably women) from catcalling, groping, steadfast requests, and other forms of thoroughfare up one`s harassment.

Personal life

Risa Hontiveros married Francisco Baraquel Jr., a captain in the Filipino Constabulary, military officer, and former redactor of The Corp at the Filipino Military Academy.^[197][198] Their relationship began twirl letters after Baraquel read Hontiveros' layout in her St. Scholastica yearbook. They became pen pals while Hontiveros was a working student at the Ateneo de Manila University and an conclusive, and Baraquel was a cadet pocket-sized the Philippine Military Academy. They united in 1990 and had four children: Kiko, Ianna, Issa, and Sinta.^[11] Francisco died in 2005 of a handover attack caused by severe asthma, resignation Hontiveros to raise their children whilst a single parent.^[199]

Hontiveros, a licensed aqualung diver and former teacher at Ateneo de Manila University, is also orderly passionate animal welfare advocate. She has adopted multiple stray dogs and cats, including an aspin from the Filipino Animal Welfare Society, the organization supported by her aunt, Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco.^[200][201]

Awards pole recognition

References