During her visit to MSU-GenSan, Sen. Risa Hontiveros reenacted her once-viral scene where she was spotted consistently not clapping, especially among other senators, on the first and second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Hontiveros, who is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality graced MSU-GenSan with her presence for “Marching on Together for a Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Society: A conversation with Sen. Risa Hontiveros,” an event in line with the celebration of the 2024 National Women's Month, held in the MSU-GenSan gymnasium, Mar. 1.
During the event, the senator willingly reenacted the viral scene at the request of Norman Ralph Isla, Ph.D., the campus secretary of MSU-GenSan before Isla, being one of the forum moderators, posed a question referencing the senator’s action in the viral scene but diverted it to align with the event's theme.
“Tanong ko po, senator. Sa usaping kababaihan, pang-aabuso, safe spaces, kailan po dapat pumalakpak, at kailan hindi dapat pumalakpak?” the campus secretary asked.
In response, Hontiveros prefaced her answer by saying that the baseline of women when they clap is respect for fellowmen, citing her action during the SONA as an example where she stood as a demonstration of respect to the office and not to be rude, but still refused to clap.
“Kapag ang isang bagay ay hindi kapala-palakpak, o kung hindi tayo bilib sa sinabi ng isang tao—kahit nagpapakita parin tayo ng respeto sa kanila bilang kapwa tao, pero nirereject natin either ang sinabi or ginagawa [nila], lalo na sa larangan ng gender insensitivity, gender injustice, gender inequity, then kailangan po tayong consistently na mag push back doon. I-withold ‘yung suporta natin sa ganyang klaseng hindi makataong pamamaraan para consistent din tayo sa pakikipaglaban natin para sa gender sensitivity at gender justice,” Hontiveros said.
Speaking truth to power
Hontiveros noted that her response to the question is aligned with "speaking truth to power," a message she emphasized in her speech preceding the forum.
"Ang paulit-ulit ko pong mensahe sa aking mga kabaro, lalo na sa ating kabataang kababaihan: step up to the challenge. Be involved Be informed. Speak truth to power," remarked Hontiveros during her speech.
However, Hontiveros’ persistence and encouragement to Filipinos to speak truth to power extends beyond her remarks at the forum, as evidenced by her actions and statements in Congress addressing national issues such as the recent People’s Initiative (PI) and the Marcos-Duterte rift.
"And to my fellow Filipinos: let us speak truth to power. Uncover reality. It is only with truth that we strike our path amidst the smoke and mirrors. What is at stake is the future of the Philippines, not just the future of the Dutertes or the future of the president's family," she remarked in a privileged speech on Jan. 29.
Furthermore, it can be recalled that Hontiveros grilled Vice President Sara Duterte regarding the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) request for confidential funds which became a hot topic in social media.
This, among her other actions and statements especially within the congress, further demonstrates the senator’s commitment to speaking truth to power.
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