Rappler's latest stories on Risa Hontiveros
Hontiveros urges BIR to 'withdraw, review, rewrite' online seller memo
Senator Risa Hontiveros says the exemption on small-time online vendors should be included in the Bureau of Internal Revenue guidelines

Lawmakers oppose proposal to delay universal health care law implementation
Senator Risa Hontiveros tells PhilHealth the coronavirus pandemic is the 'litmus test' for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act

FALSE: Risa Hontiveros quote supporting Maute Group
This claim has been debunked as early as 2017. Hontiveros did not make any statement in support of the Maute Group, which she tagged as terrorists.

Del Rosario: PH can seize China's assets as payment for West PH Sea damage
Assets that can be seized include China's stakes in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and the 3rd telco, says former foreign affairs chief Albert del Rosario

FALSE: Poe, Hontiveros silent over coronavirus crisis
Both senators have responded to the coronavirus crisis by doing their jobs as legislators and by providing assistance to frontliners

Robredo: Despite virus, Ramadan and Eid'l Fitr strengthened Muslim links
Vice President Leni Robredo asks all Filipinos, regardless of religion, to 'embody the spirit' of Eid'l Fitr

FALSE: Risa Hontiveros quote on OFWs paying higher PhilHealth rate
Hontiveros did not say the quote attributed to her. She labeled the quote card as 'fake news.'

'China owes us over P200 billion in West Philippine Sea damage' – Hontiveros
Some P200 billion in West Philippine Sea damage, plus the P50-billion unpaid tax liabilities of POGOs, may be used to foot the Philippines' coronavirus bill, says Senator Risa Hontiveros

Tito Sotto 'defends' Vico: 'Violation of Bayanihan law can't be retroactive'
'We have an urgent task at hand, and distractions such as this doesn’t help,' says Senator Joel Villanueva

Duterte's special powers law prone to abuse – Hontiveros
'Did we let the President share Congress' power in exchange for some good anti-COVID-19 measures na pwede naman na nating gawin under current laws and programs and even existing funds?' Senator Risa Hontiveros says

Rappler Talk: Risa Hontiveros' dissent vs 'emergency powers'
Watch Maria Ressa's interview with Risa Hontiveros at 7:45 PM

House, Senate dissenters: 'Emergency actions, not powers' needed vs coronavirus
Only 10 legislators – 9 from the House and 1 in the Senate – opposed the bill giving President Rodrigo Duterte at least 27 'special' powers vs to address the COVID-19 crisis

FALSE: Hontiveros says ‘police and military more frightening than dying from virus’
The senator did not say the quote which was attributed to her
#SanaAllSchools: Students seek safe spaces vs sexual harassment on campus
Several school administrators and student leaders call for 'safe space desks' on campuses nationwide, where victims could report their experiences for immediate action

'Filipinos' safety first': Hontiveros wants Chinese 'criminals' deported
The Chinese embassy says criminal cases in the country involving its citizens are only 'isolated incidents'

LIVE: Senate hearing on money laundering, sex trafficking in POGO industry
The Senate probes alleged money laundering, crimes, and other nefarious activities associated with POGO operations

[EDITORIAL] The real terror in our midst
While the terrorism threat is real, laws that empower dishonest, unprofessional policemen and give these petty gunslingers super powers are the bigger threats

LOOK: How syndicates, airport officials split P10,000 bribe from POGO workers
In a modus called 'pastillas,' POGOs pay P10,000 per person and provide free lunch to get VIP treatment

‘Magkano at hanggang kanino?’: Hontiveros reveals bribery in entry of POGO workers
(UPDATED) The senator confronts immigration officials at a hearing after an informant alleges that the entry of POGO employees is facilitated for P10,000 per person

'Time heals all wounds': Hontiveros gives love advice on Valentine's Day
From giving cheaters a chance to finding "The One," Senator Risa Hontiveros answers questions about love and relationships

Hontiveros sees link between influx of POGO workers, rise of sex trafficking in Manila
Senator Risa Hontiveros says photos of trafficked women are being passed around in WeChat and Telegram chat groups, where there are 'menus of services, as though in a restaurant'

FALSE: Risa Hontiveros calls rebels 'heroes of the land'
Senator Risa Hontiveros again denies ever saying the quote attributed to her twice – first in 2018 and again in 2020

Hontiveros asks for cybersecurity audit of 'China-controlled' NGCP
Senator Risa Hontiveros says: 'Ang chairman Chinese, halos lahat ng contractors Chinese, ang systems software made in China, at ang training sa China. Pero dapat magtiwala at maniwala tayo na ito ay 'Filipino-run'?'

Probe sought over concern China can shut down Philippine power
Senator Risa Hontiveros asks the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the potential threat of China shutting off the Philippines' supply of electricity

FALSE: Robredo, Hontiveros 'quotes' on drug war, kidnapping
The quote attributed to Senator Risa Hontiveros about kidnapping is a rehashed claim. Vice President Leni Robredo's quote on the drug war, on the other hand, is fabricated.

Opposition 'not surprised' by Robredo's firing as ICAD co-chair
(UPDATED) Senators say the Duterte administration 'got snared in their own trap' and their plan 'to make [Vice President Leni Robredo] look weak backfired'

Sotto calls for halt in implant contraceptive funding for 2020
Senate President Vicente Sotto III questions the ruling of the Food and Drug Administration that Implanon and Implanon NXT are non-abortifacient

VP as drug czar? Pimentel says job for Duterte's alter ego only
Former top cops-turned-lawmakers Senators Panfilo Lacson and Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa believe that only the President has 'sufficient authority' over law enforcement officials

Hontiveros slams private hospitals for threat to cut ties with Philhealth
Senator Risa Hontiveros calls the threat 'sad and ill-timed' as the landmark Universal Health Care Act will begin implementation next year

Groups welcome proposed U.S. travel ban on officials in De Lima detention
The Philippine government, meanwhile, tags the move as an intrusion of sovereignty

Hontiveros says DOH's P10-billion budget cut an 'attack on public health'
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III appeals to senators to grant them additional budget for 2020 to be able to fully roll out the Universal Health Care law

FALSE: Hontiveros 'called for EDSA revolution to oust dictator president'
There is no such statement from Senator Risa Hontiveros

Hontiveros wants Senate probe into AFP deal with China-backed telco
'If this deal can fly stealthily under the nose of the man responsible for our nation's defense, then it raises anew the vulnerability of our borders from intruders,' says Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto

Hontiveros: Divorce bill is 'pro-family, pro-children'
'It makes us respect marriage more by being more discerning with our choices in life. It protects children from abuse and rebuilds broken families,' Senator Risa Hontiveros says at the first Senate hearing on the divorce bill
Rappler Talk: Challenges faced by SOGIE equality bill at the Senate
Rappler talks to Senator Risa Hontiveros, lead author of the SOGIE equality bill at the Senate, on how she plans to fight misinformation on the measure

Good conduct time allowance may be for sale inside Bilibid – Hontiveros
Faeldon says he does not believe he should resign

MISLEADING: VACC filed complaints vs Hontiveros for 'stealing PhilHealth funds'
The charges filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption against Senator Hontiveros are unrelated to any PhilHealth issues but concern the Kian delos Santos case

Energized by Gretchen Diez, Hontiveros renews push for SOGIE equality bill
'Ipasa na natin ang SOGIE equality bill. Para kay Gretchen [at] sa lahat ng Filipino lesbians, gays, transgenders, intersex, queers, at asexuals, na matagal nang nakaposas sa...diskriminasyon,' says Senator Risa Hontiveros

Recto to DOH: Transfer funds from 'slow-moving' projects to anti-dengue front
Senators call on the government to use all available resources to combat the dengue problem following the declaration of a national dengue epidemic

Hontiveros on lotto resumption: 'Buti nahimasmasan na si Pangulo'
Senator Risa Hontiveros also tells President Rodrigo Duterte to 'go after those small town lottery franchises fronting for jueteng, strongly regulate Chinese online gambling, and stop recycling corrupt officials'

Hontiveros 'too busy' preparing for 18th Congress to plot vs government
'I really don't wish to dignify further 'yung charge batay dun sa taong iyan na zero credibility talaga,' says Senator Risa Hontiveros on the sedition complaint which was based on Peter Joemel 'Bikoy' Advincula's testimony

Risa Hontiveros, Twitter users fire back at slut-shaming netizen over SONA dress
‘Stop telling women how to dress,’ says the opposition senator, who’s also the author of the ‘Bawal Bastos’ law

[EDITORIAL] #AnimatED: Walang 'maginoo at bastos' – bastos lang ang tawag d'yan
It's time to call out the President on his misogyny

Bawal Bastos law emboldens Filipinos to condemn Duterte sexism – Hontiveros
Though President Rodrigo Duterte is immune from suit while he is Chief Executive, the new law should serve as a guide for him and a resource for Filipinos who want to call out his misogynistic behavior

Rappler Talk: Senator Risa Hontiveros on challenges facing 'Bawal Ang Bastos' Law
The law has been passed. The next challenge: implementation

On Duterte's 4th SONA, Hontiveros wishes end to EJK, Cha-Cha
Senator Risa Hontiveros also wishes that the President would release detained Senator Leila de Lima and stop the harassment cases against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa

Hontiveros wants Senate probe into death of 3-year-old in police operation
Senator Risa Hontiveros hopes Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is expected to chair the committee on public order and dangerous drugs, will be 'fair and judicious' if her resolution is referred to the panel

Fellow senators hit Dela Rosa over 'shit happens' comment on kid's death
(UPDATED) 'Nonchalance has no place in this situation,' says Senator Panfilo Lacson in response to the controversial comment of Senator Ronald dela Rosa

'Rainbow wave coming': Hontiveros hopeful SOGIE bill will pass 18th Congress
'Someday, discrimination will fail and Pride will win,' says Senator Risa Hontiveros

Sereno: Tri-party probe of Recto Bank incident 'overt surrender of sovereignty'
(UPDATED) 'The incident happened in Philippine waters, to Filipino citizens, whose laws immediately apply, and where jurisdiction, unless surrendered, vests exclusively in Philippine courts or appropriate administrative agencies,' says former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno
