Risa Hontiveros Net Worth

Background and career

Ana Theresia "Risa" Navarro Hontiveros Baraquel ([ˈɾisa ɔntɪˈverɔs]; born February 24, 1966) is a Filipino politician who has served as a senator of the Philippines since 2016. A member of the progressive Akbayan party, she previously served as its party-list representative from 2004 to 2010.

Born to a prominent family in the Philippines, Hontiveros studied social sciences at the Ateneo de Manila University, graduating cum laude in 1987. She worked as a journalist for IBC and GMA Network and became involved in the formation of Akbayan in 1998. As a former secretary-general of the Coalition for Peace, her work in peace negotiations earned her a nomination for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

After being elected to the House of Representatives in 2004, she emerged as a major opposition figure to the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. During her tenure as a representative, she advocated for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, the Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law, and the Reproductive Health Law.

Hontiveros ran for the Senate twice—in 2010 and 2013—before being elected in 2016, becoming the country's first socialist woman senator. As a senator, she authored and led the passage of the Mental Health Act, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, the Anti-POGO Law, the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act, the Solo Parents Act, the Foundling Protection Law, and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, among many other laws. During her first term, she was a vocal critic of the administration of Rodrigo Duterte and condemned his war on drugs. At the same time, she became a target of misinformation surrounding her tenure as a PhilHealth trustee, which was later debunked by fact-checkers.

Hontiveros was reelected in 2022, becoming the only opposition senator to retain her seat, and becoming the de facto leader of the opposition as recognized by former vice president Leni Robredo. In 2025, she managed the successful senatorial bids of Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan. Throughout her political career, Hontiveros has launched numerous investigations that have exposed anomalies and corruption in various sectors, including government, where high-ranking officials have successfully been arrested. Among the investigations she led included those that probed the POGO controversy, the KOJC scandal, the Pharmally scandal, and the Philippine drug war, among others.