MANILA, Philippines — More than 1,500 people from Western Visayas gathered in Iloilo City on June 13 to launch “Aton Ini! Risa for 6,” a regional movement backing the potential presidential bid of Senator Risa Hontiveros in 2028.
The event at La Paz Plaza brought together youth groups, transport sector representatives, local officials, and supporters from Panay and Guimaras in what organizers described as the formal launch of the movement in the region.
Mardi Mapa-Suplido, former chief operating officer of the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., said organizers decided to start early citing lessons learned from the 2022 presidential campaign of former vice president Leni Robredo.
“We had a good candidate in 2022 but we lost because we are too late already. If we want to have a good leader, we should not campaign a few months before, not even one year before. We need to start as soon as possible," she said.
Mapa-Suplido said the movement seeks to build grassroots support ahead of the 2028 elections amid what she described as a “governance crisis” fueled by corruption issues.
“We can only have good governance if we have a democratic leader. We need to have democracy in the country and we need the right leaders. We need to elect a leader that has integrity, intelligence, and courage,” she said.
The regional launch followed the June 4 unveiling of the “Risa Na!” movement at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City.
Mapa-Suplido said the campaign was brought to Western Visayas because Hontiveros traces her roots to Aklan.
Meanwhile, former Magdalo Party-List Rep. Gary Alejano said the movement is not solely about supporting Hontiveros but also about promoting principled leadership.
“As a former soldier, we know the values of leadership. A leader that will not leave you in dire times because lives are at stake. It is clear for us who to support in 2028. We choose to stand with Hontiveros,” he said.
