SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality
She is known for her tireless work in promoting public health, women's rights, and the welfare of the Filipino family. She is a multi-awarded public servant, community organizer, and journalist elected to the Senate in 2016.
In her first term, she successfully championed landmark laws, including the historic Expanded Maternity Leave Law that gives working moms 105 days of paid maternity leave, and the Philippine Mental Health Law, the country's first ever national policy to care for Filipinos' mental health.
As a long time health advocate, she pushed for the passage of the Universal Healthcare Law and the Expanded Anti-hospital Deposit Law to ensure the Filipino family’s well-being before profit, and to make health more accessible to all. Even amidst the pandemic, Senator Risa pushed for free dialysis for senior citizens and for the timely release of benefits and salaries for health workers.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Senator Hontiveros also authored the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Law or the Bawal Bastos Law that protects all Filipinos, particularly women, from gender-based harassment in the streets, public transportation, schools, and the workplace. During the biggest public health crisis of our time, she also pushed for the Maternity Benefit for Women in the Informal Economy Act, to help ease the multiple burdens of women exacerbated by the pandemic.
Senator Hontiveros worked on expanding the Solo Parents' Act to further help single moms and dads in providing for their families. The Senator is also pushing for an increase on the monthly pension of senior citizens through the Lingap Para Kayo Lolo at Lola Bill.
Even before becoming a legislator, in2005, she was one of 27 Filipinas who earned a nomination to the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for her work in the peace movement.
Senator Hontiveros is a loving and hands-on solo mother to 4 children - Kiko, Issa, Helena and Sinta.
