Netizens are circulating a graphic card claiming that Sen. Risa Hontiveros vowed that she would not run for president if Vice President Sara Duterte resigns. This is fabricated.
On July 19, a Facebook user uploaded a graphic card bearing a photo of Hontiveros and a text that read:
“HINDI AKO TATAKBONG PRESIDENTE KUNG MAG RESIGN SI VP SARA, PROMISE
– SEN RISA HONTIVEROS
(I will not run for president if VP Sara resigns, promise
– Sen. Risa Hontiveros).”
The fake quote card was recirculated on July 20 by another user and an FB page, although the posts drew fewer engagements.
A keyword search using the full quote yielded no credible report that the senator made the statement. No such remark also appears on her official social media accounts.
The photo used in the graphic was likely taken from her November 2024 interview with Philippine STAR about the Senate hearing on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs campaign.
Hontiveros said twice in June that she is “seriously considering and preparing” for a possible presidential run in the 2028 elections.
The fake posts surfaced amid the impeachment trial of Duterte, who could be removed from office and permanently banned from holding public office if convicted. Hontiveros is serving as one of the senator-judges in the ongoing trial.
As of writing, the posts published by two FB users and page Bicol Inquirer (March 6, 2022) collectively garnered 3,453 reactions; 1,789 comments; and 36 shares.
