ILOILO CITY — Supporters of Sen. Risa Hontiveros gathered at La Paz Plaza Covered Gym here on Saturday, June 13, for the “Risa na! Kabakod sang Ilonggo Ipakita! (Ilonggos Show of Strength)” rally, drawing participants from across Panay Island and Guimaras.

Delegations from the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo City attended the event, alongside representatives of transport, labor, youth, professional, and urban poor organizations.

Relatives of Hontiveros from Capiz were also present.

Organizers said the rally aimed to demonstrate the support of Ilonggos and Panay and Guimaras people’s organizations for Hontiveros because of the causes she has championed and her progressive politics.

They expressed frustration and disappointment of trapos (traditional politicians), calling that the time has come for the type of leader like Hontiveros.

On June 5, a similar “Risa Na 2028” launching was held at Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City. Present were leaders of sectoral groups, trade unionists and other progressives. 

“Ang pagiging progresibo ay ‘di awtomatikong kalaban ng bayan (Being a progressive does not automatically mean an enemy of the country),” former Magdalo partylist Rep. Gary Alejano said. The real enemy, he emphasized, is corruption.

Jessica de Ocampo, secretary general of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. labor union, said her sector has learned to recognize authenticity and to recognize its absence. “Mas na-appreciate namin ang lider na authentic,” she said, adding that they could no longer applaud the current administration’s incompetence. 

Jon Sarmiento, representing the agricultural sector, said the country’s farmers feed the nation, yet they are the ones hungry. 

According to the latest Pulse Asia survey, Hontiveros was at 2% in a six-person presidential preference race, trailing frontrunner Sara Duterte by a wide margin. The opposition landscape has remained unsettled since former Vice President Leni Robredo announced that she will not seek higher office in 2028 while Sen. Raffy Tulfo stepped back from a presidential run. 

Rally speakers

In Iloilo City, political and civic organizations represented at the pro-Hontiveros gathering included Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Akbayan, Magdalo, and Bunyog party-list group, Western Visayas Transport Cooperative, Iloilo Pepsi Workers Independent Union, Coca-Cola Labor Union, United Iloilo City Trisikad Drivers Association, Dakila, PM Youth, and various urban poor organizations. 

Former senator and Magdalo chairperson Sonny Trillanes delivered a message through a recorded video presentation, while former representative Alejano also attended the event.

Among the sectoral leaders and public officials who gave messages were lawyer Raymund Moderes for the legal sector; Myka Mandarico for the youth; Churchill Montealto-Pasague; Mario Andon, secretary general, PM Panay-Guimaras; Halley Alcarde, secretary of the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative; Ryan James Bagares of Sentro; Artchil Fernandez representing professionals; and Rick Maquiling, a human rights and LGBTQIA+ advocate.

Also addressing the gathering were Fernando Corvera Sr., a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique, and Vice Mayor Joseph Jencon Flores of Altavas, Aklan. – With a report from K Cleto, a third-year journalism student at the University of the Philippines Diliman and an intern at CoverStory.ph.