Risa Hontiveros facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Risa Hontiveros
Official portrait, 2022
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2016
Senate positions Chair of the Philippine Senate Women, Family Relations and Gender Equality Committee Incumbent Assumed office August 05, 2016 Preceded by Pia Cayetano Chair of the Philippine Senate Health and Demography Committee In office July 25, 2016 – February 27, 2017 Preceded by Teofisto Guingona III Succeeded by JV Ejercito Senate Deputy Minority Leader Incumbent Assumed office August 3, 2022 Leader Koko Pimentel
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Akbayan
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010 Serving with Etta Rosales and Mario Joyo Aguja (2004–2007) Walden Bello (2007–2010)
Preceded by	Etta Rosales Mario Joyo Aguja
Personal details
Born	Ana Theresia Navarro Hontiveros (1966-02-24) February 24, 1966 (age 59) Manila, Philippines
Political party	Akbayan (2004–present)
Other political affiliations	Liberal (2010)
Spouse	Francisco Baraquel Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1990; died 2005)​
Children	4
Relatives	Jose Hontiveros (grandfather) Daisy Avellana (aunt) Lamberto V. Avellana (uncle-in-law) Eduardo Hontiveros (uncle) Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco (aunt) Pia Hontiveros (sister) Dondon Hontiveros (cousin) Leah Navarro (cousin) Jose Mari Avellana (cousin)
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila University (BA)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Journalist
Signature

Ana Theresia "Risa" Navarro Hontiveros–Baraquel (born February 24, 1966) is a Filipino politician, community leader, and journalist. She has been serving as a Senator since 2016. Before becoming a senator, she was a representative for Akbayan in the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2004 to 2010.

In the Senate, Senator Hontiveros has supported important laws like the SOGIE Equality Bill. She is also a key figure in the opposition, speaking up on important national issues. Since 2024, she also co-hosts a radio program called Oras at Bayan.

Early Life and Education

Risa Hontiveros was born on February 24, 1966, in Manila, Philippines. When she was 14, she acted in a play called The Sound of Music. She was one of the Von Trapp children.

During her high school years, she became involved in activism. She helped organize a campaign against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. She later graduated with honors from the Ateneo de Manila University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences. While in college, she was active in the student council. She worked to support peace and justice for people in need.

Before her political career, Risa Hontiveros was also a television journalist. She worked as a news anchor for two TV networks in the Philippines.

Political Journey

Serving in the House of Representatives

Risa Hontiveros first entered politics in 2004. She became a representative for the Akbayan party-list group. During the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, she was a strong voice for the opposition.

In 2006, she was briefly detained during a protest on International Women's Day. She was later released after many people spoke out against her arrest.

She worked to expose issues related to government contracts. For example, she questioned a deal with China's ZTE Corporation. This deal was later canceled. She also spoke out about other agreements that could affect the Philippines' land and sea territories. Many of these deals were later stopped or declared unconstitutional.

As a representative, Hontiveros helped create several important laws. These include:

• The Right to Labor Self-Organization Law, which helped workers organize.
• The Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law, which made medicines more affordable.
• The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law, which helped farmers get their own land.

She also supported the LGBTQ community. She marched in early pride marches to support an anti-discrimination bill. This bill later became known as the SOGIE Equality Bill. She also helped start national discussions about the Reproductive Health Law (RH Law). This law was eventually passed, helping people with reproductive health needs.

Running for Senate

Hontiveros shows the laban (fight) hand symbol during a campaign in 2010.

Hontiveros ran for a Senate seat in the 2010 national elections. She was part of the team of then-senator Benigno Aquino III. She placed 13th, just missing a spot in the Senate.

In 2012, she spoke out against the "pork barrel" system. This system allowed politicians to use public funds, which could sometimes be misused. Later that year, the Reproductive Health Law (RH Law) was finally passed. This law provides sex education and health benefits. Hontiveros has continued to advocate for its full implementation.

She ran for Senate again in the 2013 elections but did not win. She continued to support the anti-discrimination bill and marched with the LGBT+ community in 2014.

In 2014, Hontiveros became a trustee for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). She worked to expand medical benefits for people, especially for those who are poor or elderly. She left this position in 2015.

On October 14, 2015, Hontiveros announced her third run for senator in the 2016 national elections.

Serving as Senator

First Term (2016–2022)

Hontiveros gives her first speech in the Senate in 2016.

Risa Hontiveros won a Senate seat in the 2016 election. She placed ninth and was officially proclaimed a senator on May 19, 2016.

In November 2016, she joined protests against the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Heroes' Cemetery.

She wrote Senate Bill No. 1345, which became the Philippine Mental Health Law. This law helps make mental health care available in hospitals across the country. It was passed in 2017.

Hontiveros also strongly opposed bringing back the death penalty. She announced that she and other senators would block any attempts to pass such a law. She also spoke out against the government's approach to the Philippine drug war.

She was the main author of Republic Act No. 10932. This law strengthens the "Anti-Hospital Deposit Law." It increases penalties for hospitals that ask for money before giving emergency services.

In 2017, she received an award for her work in spreading HIV/AIDS awareness. In 2018, she criticized the government's response to other countries' actions in the South China Sea. She also spoke out against the removal of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

In 2018, she helped expose issues related to public funds. She also worked on the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act of 2017. This law protects people, especially women, from street harassment. It was signed into law in 2019.

In November 2018, she received the Equality Champion Award for her efforts to pass equality laws, like the SOGIE Equality Bill. She also spoke about the issue of illegal workers from other countries in the Philippines.

In January 2019, Republic Act 11166, the HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018, became law. Hontiveros was the main author of this law. It helps people get access to HIV information and testing. She also filed a bill to legalize divorce in the Philippines.

She received the Silver Rose Award in Brussels, Belgium, in 2019. This award recognized her work for social justice and freedom in the Philippines. She was cleared of charges filed against her in 2019.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she urged the government to support health workers. She also supported laws to help seafarers and establish more medical schools. She called on the government to protect the Philippines from aggression in the South China Sea.

Second Term (2022–Present)

Hontiveros speaking at a campaign rally in Antipolo, 2022.

Hontiveros was re-elected as a senator in the 2022 election. She was the only opposition senator in the 19th Congress. On June 27, she became the official leader of the opposition.

In the 19th Congress, she serves as the Senate Deputy Minority Leader. She also chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality. In 2023, she revealed that Filipinos were being trafficked to other countries for scams. Her investigations led to the rescue of many victims.

Hontiveros with the President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen and her pet cat Think Think during a visit to Taiwan, May 2023.

In May 2023, Hontiveros visited Taipei, Taiwan. She met with President Tsai Ing-wen to discuss regional peace. She was the first sitting Philippine official to visit Taiwan in many years. She emphasized peaceful solutions for the South China Sea dispute.

Hontiveros opposed the creation of the Maharlika Investment Fund. She was the only senator to vote against the bill. She believed it was too early for such a fund. In June 2023, she joined the largest pride march in Southeast Asia. She continued to call for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill.

In July 2023, she proposed declaring July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day. This would honor the Philippines' win in the South China Sea Arbitration case. In September 2023, she questioned the large confidential funds requested by the Vice President's office.

In May 2024, Senator Hontiveros led an inquiry into a mayor's citizenship and links to illegal activities. She has called for a ban on certain online gaming operations.

In August 2024, Hontiveros urged the government to take action against other countries' actions in the South China Sea. She also questioned the use of public funds for a book by the Vice President.

In October 2024, the Senate launched investigations into past government actions. Hontiveros questioned a former president about his role in certain events. She also continued to push for the Magna Carta of Children bill. In November 2024, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which she authored, became law. These laws help protect the country's territory and security.

Key Laws Authored by Senator Hontiveros

Senator Hontiveros has been a key author of many laws that have helped the Philippines. Some of these include:

• Republic Act 9502 – Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law: This law significantly lowered the cost of good quality medicines.
• Republic Act 9700 – Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension With Reforms (CARPER) Law: This law improved the government's program to give land to farmers.
• Republic Act 10932 – Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law: This law increased penalties for hospitals that ask for deposits before giving emergency care.
• Republic Act 11036 – Philippine Mental Health Law: This law protects the mental health of Filipinos through education and support.
• Republic Act 11166 – HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018: This law helps people get access to HIV information and testing.
• Republic Act 11313 – Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act: This law protects Filipinos, especially women, from street harassment.

Personal Life

Risa Hontiveros was married to Francisco Baraquel Jr. He was a military officer. They met through letters after he read her essay in her high school yearbook. They married in 1990 and had four children: Kiko, Ianna, Issa, and Sinta. Francisco passed away in 2005 from a heart attack. Risa then raised their children as a single parent.

Besides her political work, Hontiveros is a licensed scuba diver. She also used to be a teacher at Ateneo de Manila University. She loves animals and has adopted several stray dogs and cats.

Awards and Recognition

Risa Hontiveros has received many awards for her work:

• 1994 Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Golden Dove Awards for Best Female Newscaster
• 2001 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Peace and Advocacy
• 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nomination
• 2007 Bayi Citation for Exemplary Leadership in Politics and Governance
• 2017 Love Gala Ripple Award for HIV-AIDS awareness
• 2018 Lagablab Network Equality Champion Award
• 2019 Solidar Silver Rose Award for social justice
• 2022 APCOM Shivananda Khan Award for Extraordinary Achievement
• 2022 PeopleAsia's Women of Style and Substance
• 2023 Red Whistle Ally for Change Award
• 2023 National Bahaghari Champion Award
• 2023 Ateneo Government Service Award for exemplary public service
• 2024 PFIP’s Ally of the Year
• 2025 PeopleAsia's People of The Year

Images for kids

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  Risa Hontiveros's signature.

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  Senator Hontiveros during the opening session of the Senate.

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  Hontiveros during a Senate investigation.