Outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo says she is passing the opposition leadership to Senator Risa Hontiveros.
Hontiveros is the only senator from the opposition slate who won a seat in the Senate in the May 9 polls.
She took her oath before Robredo on Monday, June 27.
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“Noong alam na natin ‘yung resulta ng eleksyon, tinext ko si Senator Risa. Sabi ko kay Senator Risa, ‘Ikaw na ‘yung lider namin. Kaya please know na nasa likod mo lang kami. Nasa likod mo lang kami, tutulong kung kailan mo kami kailangan,'” Robredo said.
“Uulitin ko ‘yun ngayon, Sen. Risa, na you are now the highest elected official sa oposisyon and lahat kami masaya na ikaw ‘yung natitirang humahawak ng ating bandila,” she continued.
Hontiveros vowed to continue her advocacies in the Senate and would pursue legislations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and programs for health.
“We will help spur economic growth and restore healthcare services disrupted by the pandemic. As promised, we will facilitate an increase of budgets for agencies integral to our recovery initiatives. Tuloy pa rin ang ating adbokasiya para sa Healthy Buhay at Hanapbuhay,” Hontiveros said.
The senator said she would also fight back against disinformation.
“We will fight back harder, against rumors, lies, propaganda, and fake news. Let me make this even clearer. This is a stern warning to all the dubious characters in the fake news universe. This time, we will not let your reckless disregard for truth slander our democracy—our country— ever again,” Hontiveros said.
