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 Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality In office August 5, 2016 – June 30, 2025 Preceded by Pia Cayetano Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography In office July 25, 2016 – February 27, 2017 Preceded by TG Guingona Succeeded by JV Ejercito Senate Deputy Minority Leader In office August 3, 2022 – June 30, 2025 Leader Koko Pimentel
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Akbayan
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010
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 (2009–2010)
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, journalist, and activist. She has been a Senator of the Philippines since 2016. She is known for her work on laws related to health, women's rights, and children's safety.

Before becoming a senator, Hontiveros was a journalist for TV stations like GMA Network. She later joined the political party Akbayan and was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2004 to 2010. During her time there, she became known for questioning the government and supporting important bills like the Reproductive Health Law.

After two unsuccessful runs for the Senate, she was elected in 2016. As a senator, she helped pass important laws like the Mental Health Act and the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act. She has been a key voice in the opposition, speaking up on issues of human rights and national security.

Hontiveros was re-elected in 2022 and is currently the highest-ranking elected opposition official. Many see her as the leader of the opposition, continuing to work for her advocacies in the Senate.

Early Life and Education

Ana Theresia Navarro Hontiveros was born on February 24, 1966, in Manila. She grew up in a family that encouraged her to speak her mind respectfully. Her family includes many well-known Filipinos, such as national artists, journalists, and public servants. Her sister is the journalist Pia Hontiveros.

Even as a young girl, she was interested in social issues. When she was 12, she joined a protest for democracy. In high school, she organized a campaign against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant because she was concerned about its safety.

She studied at St. Scholastica's College, Manila, where she was active in musical theater. For college, she went to the Ateneo de Manila University and joined the student council. There, she worked for peace and justice for communities in need. She graduated with honors in 1987 with a degree in social sciences.

A Start in Journalism and Activism

After college, Hontiveros worked as a TV journalist and news anchor. At the same time, she became involved in activism. She helped form the political party Akbayan and was a leader in the Coalition for Peace.

Her work focused on peaceful solutions to conflicts and helping poor communities. For her efforts, she received the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Peace and Advocacy in 2001. In 2005, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Her friends in Akbayan encouraged her to run for office, and in 2004, she agreed to represent the party in Congress.

Serving in the House of Representatives (2004–2010)

Hontiveros was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 2004. She became a leading voice in the opposition against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration. She questioned government deals that seemed unfair and called for investigations into corruption.

During her time as a representative, she helped write several important laws. These included:

• Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law: This law helped lower the price of medicines for all Filipinos.
• Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law: This law helped many poor farmers get their own land to farm.
• She also supported early versions of the SOGIE Equality Bill, which aims to protect everyone from unfair treatment.

Hontiveros was also one of the first to start discussions in Congress about the Reproductive Health Law. This law aimed to provide better healthcare and information to families.

Work in the Philippine Senate

Hontiveros using the laban (fight) sign, a symbol of protest, during a campaign in 2010.

After her term in the House, Hontiveros ran for the Senate. It took her three tries to win. She ran in 2010 and 2013 but did not get enough votes. Her supporters admired her for not giving up.

Finally, in the 2016 elections, she won a seat in the Senate. She was reelected in 2022, becoming the only opposition candidate to win a Senate seat in that election.

First Term (2016–2022)

Hontiveros giving her first speech in the Senate in 2016.

During her first term, Hontiveros focused on passing laws to help ordinary Filipinos.

Health and Wellness

• Mental Health Act: This landmark law made mental health services a part of the country's public health system. It ensures that mental health support is available in hospitals.
• Strengthened Anti-Hospital Deposit Law: This law increased the penalties for hospitals that ask for a deposit before treating a patient in an emergency.
• First 1,000 Days Law: This law focuses on improving the health of mothers and babies during the first 1,000 days of a child's life.

Protecting Women and Children

• Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act: This law protects people from street harassment and other disrespectful behavior in public.
• Prohibition of Child Marriage Law: This law made it illegal for anyone under 18 to be married in the Philippines.
• Expanded Maternity Leave Law: She helped pass this law, which gives working mothers more time off to care for their newborn children.

Justice and Human Rights

Hontiveros was a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. She spoke out against the violence connected to the government's "war on drugs" and called for justice for the victims. She also opposed the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the cemetery for heroes.

In 2020, she led a Senate investigation that uncovered a bribery scheme in the Bureau of Immigration called the "pastillas scam." This scheme allowed foreign nationals to enter the country illegally.

Second Term (2022–present)

Hontiveros speaking at a campaign rally in 2022.

After taking her oath before outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo, Hontiveros became the leader of the opposition in the Senate. She serves as the Deputy Minority Leader.

Investigations into POGOs

In 2024, Hontiveros led a major Senate investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The investigation focused on Alice Guo, a mayor in Bamban, Tarlac, whose Filipino citizenship was questioned. The hearings revealed how POGOs were involved in many illegal activities. This led to calls from Hontiveros and the public to ban POGOs from the country.

Key Advocacies

Hontiveros has continued to fight for the rights of vulnerable people. Throughout her career, Hontiveros has been a champion for several important causes.

• Health: She believes that everyone should have access to quality healthcare, both physical and mental.
• Women and Children's Rights: She has authored and supported many laws that protect women and children from violence and abuse.
• Human Rights: She consistently speaks out against injustice and works to hold government officials accountable for their actions.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: She is a strong supporter of the SOGIE Equality Bill. She believes that all people, regardless of their identity, should be treated with fairness and respect.
• National Sovereignty: She has been firm in defending the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea and has called on the government to stand up to foreign aggression.

Personal Life

Hontiveros (second from right) with her daughters and then-Vice President Leni Robredo (center) in 2022.

Hontiveros was married to Francisco Baraquel Jr., a military officer. They met as pen pals and married in 1990. They had four children together.

In 2005, her husband died from a heart attack. Hontiveros raised their four children as a single parent while continuing her work in public service.

She is also a passionate animal welfare advocate and has adopted several stray dogs and cats.

Awards and Recognition

Hontiveros has received many awards for her work, including:

• 2001 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Peace and Advocacy
• 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nomination
• 2019 Solidar Silver Rose Award for social justice
• 2023 Ateneo Government Service Award for exemplary public service
• 2025 PeopleAsia's People of The Year