Risa Hontiveros walks her way to another seat in the Senate
Brickette Faye Agpaoa
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PUBMAT | Anthony Beronque
“Another world is not only possible; she is on her way.” - Risa Hontiveros (2016)
Born on Feb. 24, 1966, Risa Hontiveros was destined to be a woman of intelligence, talent, and heart. She excelled in singing and especially theater and arts; however, she found her heart within politics. Destined to be a leader, at the age of fifteen, she stood out as one of the youngest voices against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Taking these into consideration, she graduated as a scholar and a Magna Cum Laude at Ateneo de Manila University in AB Social Sciences, her interest in leadership sparked when she became an active member of the Student Government.
Risa Hontiveros worked as a journalist for 10 years and was awarded Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas’ Golden Dove Awards and the Best Female Newscaster in 1994. She lived her life being the one with an impactful voice to speak for all her beliefs, with this, she earned the award for Peace and Advocacy in Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in 2001. In 2005, she was a Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her partaking in the Peace Talks with the National Democratic Front from 1998 to 1999. Obtained the Ripple Award from the Love Gala (2017), she was considered as one of the 10 bravest individuals who have made an impact in the spreading of HIV-AIDS. As a woman who believes in equality for all genders, she strengthened the SOGIE Bill and was awarded the Lagablab Network Equality Champion Award in (2018). Most importantly, a walking model for social justice and solidarity, Risa Hontiveros was bestowed with the Silver Rose Award by a European network of civil society organizations and European Union (EU) parliamentarians.
Risa Hontiveros lost twice in running for Senate, but she was a fighter and eventually with much dedication, she won a seat in 2016. She strongly advocated for Universal Healthcare. However, her movement didn’t stop there as she was one of the leaders in the Mental Health Act, the bill seeks to include mental health services and programs within the public health system.
Her Legislation includes:
Republic Act 9502 – Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law
Republic Act 9700 – Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension With Reforms (CARPER) Law
Republic Act 10932 – Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law
Republic Act 11036 – Philippine Mental Health Law
Republic Act 11166 – HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018
Republic Act 11313 – Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act
In 2021, Risa Hontiveros filed her candidacy to be re-elected as Senate. “I promise you, I will continue to propose laws to strengthen and support our health care system,” she said, her current platform revolving around fighting corruption and ‘thieves’ ruining the system. Risa Hontiveros works and creates for the people for she remained consistent from the beginning of her youth up to the moment she sat in the place of leadership. She will always be the model for hope and a path for a new world that shapes the nation and its people.
Sources:
https://philnews.ph/2013/05/13/risa-hontiveros-profile-bios-platform-senatorial-candidate-18/
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/133583-hontiveros-proclamation-senators/
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1495504/risa-hontiveros-files-candidacy-for-reelection-to-senate
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/senator-risa-hontiveros-woman-of-substance
https://opinion.inquirer.net/118930/beyond-the-new-hiv-and-aids-law
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/10/28/1964058/implementing-rules-bawal-bastos-law-signed
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