Best Candidate to Challenge VP Duterte in 2028 Election
Senator Risa Hontiveros emerges as the best candidate to run against Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2028 presidential election, local leaders noted. Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV expressed confidence in Hontiveros’ ability to stand up to Duterte’s influence and hold her accountable.
Trillanes chose Hontiveros over Senator Bam Aquino and former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, citing her proven courage and consistent opposition to the Duterte family. “What I see for now is Senator Risa Hontiveros. Why am I ruling out Senator Bam Aquino and Mayor Leni? Don’t get me wrong—they’re good people, and under peaceful conditions, they could probably govern the country well,” he said in Filipino during a recent podcast interview.
Political Alliances and Reservations
Earlier, Hontiveros expressed continued political support for Aquino and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, even after they joined the Senate majority bloc. However, Trillanes questioned this decision, remarking that he would personally find it difficult to align with a majority that includes Duterte allies.
Trillanes also voiced concerns over Robredo’s relationship with Duterte, especially after Robredo invited Duterte to her home in Naga City in September 2024. “She (Robredo) is okay, her attitude is okay, but she invited Sara Duterte, her friend, into her house and hosted her, so how can she hold Sara accountable now?” he questioned.
Differences on Accountability and ICC Issues
The former senator revealed that both Aquino and Robredo had told him they opposed bringing former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte’s father, to the International Criminal Court over charges of crimes against humanity. “Both Bam and Leni told me. And that time, if Leni wins the 2022 presidential elections, she won’t hand over Digong (Duterte) to the ICC,” he stated in Filipino.
Because of these disagreements, Trillanes said he cannot support Aquino or Robredo in the 2028 elections and will actively oppose them, knowing their agendas do not align.
Efforts to obtain comments from Aquino and Robredo have not yet yielded responses.
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