Who is Risa Hontiveros?

Tangalan, Aklan- Ana Theresia “Risa” Navarro Hontiveros Baraquel (born February 24, 1966) is a prominent Filipino politician, socialist activist, and journalist currently serving as a Senator of the Philippines. She is known as a leading advocate for health, women’s rights, and gender equality.

Hontiveros is currently serving her second term as Senator, a position she was re-elected to in 2022 as the only opposition candidate to keep her seat in the upper chamber.Her current term will conclude in 2028.

She is the National Chairperson of the Akbayan Party, a democratic socialist political party. Prior to the Senate, she was a party-list representative for Akbayan in the House of Representatives from 2004 to 2010 and served on the Board of Directors of PhilHealth.

Hontiveros has been an activist since high school and is known for campaigning for peace and social justice. She has been critical of government corruption and has led investigations into issues such as the “pastillas” scam. She has authored and led efforts to pass several key laws, including the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, the Philippine Mental Health Law, the Safe Spaces , the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children, and the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act.

The senator is currently working on proposed laws like the Lingap Para Kay Lolo at Lola Act for senior citizens and the Free Dialysis Act. She is the older sister of journalists Ginggay and Pia Hontiveros. She became a solo parent to her four children after her husband passed away in 2005.

Risa Hontiveros’ educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the Ateneo de Manila University, where she graduated cum laude in 1987.