PH opposition party expected to name presidential candidate in late 2026 or early 2027

Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday that the opposition is expected to name its presidential candidate for the 2028 national elections either by the end of this year or within the first quarter of 2027.

This came after Vice President Sara Duterte announced her intention to seek the presidency in the 2028 polls.

During a press conference, Hontiveros said,"Nando'n kami sa proseso ng pagtatakda ng aming sariling timeline. So 'yung free will na binanggit ko kanina, ginagamit na rin po namin sa sarili namin,"

"Ang masasabi ko lang, sa ngayon 2026, nakatutok ang mga reform-minded at opposition forces sa pagbubuo ng mas mahigpit pang pagkakaisa para pumili ng aming mga kandidato whether by end of the year or first quarter of next year."

She added that the shared values guiding the opposition's search for its standard-bearer remain unchanged, despite Duterte's declaration.

"Dahil ilang taon na rin kaming magkakasama at regular na nag-uusap, eh bago pa man itong recent important development ay patuloy 'yung pagle-level off namin pagkakasundo kung ano 'yung aming mga requirements or qualifications na hahanapin sa aming hanay. Hindi po nagbabago 'yun," she explained.

"'Yung common values na nahanap namin sa aming hanay, 'yung pagnanais para sa anti-corruption and good governance, 'yung pag-grow at pagse-share ng bunga ng ating mas malakas na ekonomiya, at isang tunay na pagkakaisa sa ating divided at polarized na lipunan, of course pambansang soberenya at iba pa," she added.

Asked to react to Vice-President Duterte's presidential bid, Hontiveros said, "Well, sabi ng mga paborito nating mga philosophers tayo po ay may free will, so gamitin po natin."

Hontiveros had earlier said she remains open to running for president or vice president in the 2028 elections, should that be the consensus of the united opposition.

-Paraluman News