Risa Hontiveros

Senator Risa Hontiveros is a multi-awarded public servant, veteran community organizer, and former broadcast journalist. 

Recognized as the Philippines’ first socialist woman Senator, she has dedicated her career to championing public health, the rights of women and marginalized groups, and the welfare of the Filipino family.  

Before her election to the upper chamber, she served as the representative for the Akbayan Partylist from 2004 to 2010. 

She secured her first term in the Senate in 2016 and was re-elected by a national mandate in 2022.  

As a legislator, Senator Hontiveros has personally championed 25 landmark laws. 

In her capacity as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, she has successfully sponsored crucial pieces of social legislation:  

Expanded Maternity Leave Law (RA 11210): Guarantees working mothers 105 days of paid maternity leave;

• Mental Health Law (RA 11036): Established the country's very first legal and structural framework for mental health care;

• Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313): Protects citizens, particularly women, from gender-based streets and public spaces harassment;  

• Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act (RA 11861): Provides comprehensive social benefits and financial safety nets to single parents, and

• Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Law (RA 11930): Amplifies government capabilities to prevent and penalize online exploitation targeting Filipino minors.

Hontiveros continues to push for systemic healthcare and senior citizen welfare reforms, most notably through:

• The Lingap Para Kay Lolo at Lola Act: Aiming to institute a universal social pension system for all Filipino senior citizens;

• The Free Dialysis Act: Mandating PhilHealth to cover full, free dialysis sessions for seniors across the country.

Beyond building laws, Senator Hontiveros is widely recognized as an essential fiscalizer within the chamber. 

She has taken a definitive role in high-profile Senate committee investigations aimed at exposing government corruption and systemic abuses. 

Notably, her leadership during the Senate probe into the Bureau of Immigration's “pastillas” scam led to sweeping criminal and administrative charges against dozens of corrupt personnel.  

Hontiveros's commitment to social justice extends deeply into peacebuilding. 

Due to her extensive contributions to local peace movements and national reconciliation efforts, she earned a prestigious nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.

Balancing her extensive responsibilities on the national stage,  Hontiveros is a dedicated solo mother to her four children: Kiko, Ianna, Issa, and Sinta.