At least four Facebook posts claim that Sen. Risa Hontiveros downplayed running against Vice President Sara Duterte for the presidency in 2028, saying it is an “easy fight.” This is fake.
The first post published on Aug. 2 contains a photo of Hontiveros and this fake quote attributed to her:
“Kung si Sara lang makakalaban ko sa 2028, easy fight
(If it is only Sara I am going up against in 2028, it will be an easy fight ).”
The post carried a caption meant to amplify the fabricated quote:
“Easy fight para Kay sen. Hontiveros (Easy fight for Sen. Hontiveros).”
The user reshared the identical graphic across another public Facebook page on the same date of publication, carrying the matching caption.
In a Feb. 20 media interview when the lawmaker was asked to react to news reports on the vice president’s early declarations for the 2028 presidential race, Hontiveros offered a measured statement:
“Tayo po ay may free will, so gamitin po natin (We all have free will, so let us use it ).”
During a comprehensive current affairs feature on the One News program The Long Take on Feb. 18, Hontiveros explicitly acknowledged that Duterte remains a highly formidable contender.
“As of today, siya talaga ang pinakamalakas na kandidato (As of today, she is indeed the strongest candidate).”
In a separate broadcast by ANC on Feb. 9, the senator stressed that building a united opposition remains a work in progress. She emphasized that the coalition must focus on strengthening its foundation to field a single, competitive candidate.
She added that she remains open to leading the united opposition should the coalition select her as its presidential candidate.
The fake posts surfaced amid the Senate impeachment trial of the vice president, in which Hontiveros serves as one of the senator-judges.
Posted by several Facebook users, the posts have so far collectively garnered 1,581 reactions, 1,087 comments, and 29 shares.
