Akbayan Rep. Hontiveros announces senatorial bid

MANILA, Philippines - Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel on Tuesday announced that she would be running for senator in the 2010 national elections. In a press conference, Hontiveros said she has decided with her party-list to "take a calculated risk" in 2010 to help usher in a new brand of politics. "We are running for the Senate in 2010," said Hontiveros, who began her career as a legislator during the 13th Congress. The lawmaker said she first made her announcement during her birthday dinner last Monday night. Among those who attended were Akbayan members, Liberal Party members, and Senators Manuel Villar and Alan Peter Cayetano. "Kung anumang slate ang papasukin ng Akbayan, ang papasukin namin opposition [No matter what slate we join, it will definitely be from the opposition]," said Hontiveros. Asked by reporters how she would interact with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago if they become colleagues, Hontiveros said, "Kahit ang trato niya sa 'kin ay insekto, ituturing ko siyang di insekto, kundi tao [Even if she treats me like an insect, I will still treat her like a person]." The two lawmakers earlier got into a word war after Hontiveros suggested that Santiago inhibit from the Senate investigation on the World Bank's sanctioning of construction firms. Santiago hit back by saying that Hontiveros should read a book on menopause, run for senator and win. Hontiveros said she had been considering her possible Senate candidacy even before Santiago's statement. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV