Sen. Risa Hontiveros: “Wala akong kaibigan na pekeng Pilipino”
RISA HONTIVEROS – The senator addressed fake news involving a photo that falsely suggested she is close friends with Alice Guo.
Alice Guo is a controversial businesswoman and politician. She served as the mayor of Bamban, Tarlac from June 30, 2022, until her suspension in June 2024 and eventual dismissal in August 2024. Her term was marred by allegations of involvement with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), leading to her suspension and a subsequent investigation into her citizenship and financial dealings.
On the other hand, Risa Hontiveros is a prominent politician, journalist, and community leader. Born on February 24, 1966, in Manila, she is currently serving as a Senator of the Philippines, a position she has held since June 30, 2016. Hontiveros initially entered politics as a party-list representative for Akbayan from 2004 to 2010. Her career has been marked by a strong focus on social justice, human rights, and public health issues.
Risa Hontiveros has been an outspoken critic of controversial policies, particularly those related to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which she vehemently opposed. She has championed several significant pieces of legislation, including the Philippine Mental Health Law, the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, and the HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018. Her advocacy extends to gender equality, as evidenced by her sponsorship of the SOGIE Equality Bill.
Meanwhile, the senator addressed fake news involving a photo that falsely suggested she is close friends with Alice Guo. On social media, she clarified that the image was edited and that she does not have a “fake Filipino friend.” Hontiveros urged caution regarding misleading online content and called on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok to better moderate AI-generated content. She emphasized that the claims and images being circulated are false and pledged to uncover those responsible for spreading the misinformation.