IF SHE gets reelected, Senator Risa Hontiveros vowed to prioritize the rights of students.

The senator made the promise after she received the endorsement of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, the largest alliance of student leaders, councils, organizations and political parties in the country.

“Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa SCAP sa pag-eendorso nila sa reelection ko. Long-time partner ko na ang SCAP sa paglalaban para sa kapakanan at adbokasiya ng mga estudyante. Having been a student leader myself, I value this partnership and would like to continue to represent the youth in the Senate,” Hontiveros said.

In a statement SCAP released on Monday, it said that Hontiveros’ win will be “the victory of students, the youth, and all Filipinos.”

The group highlighted Hontiveros’ role in the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law when she was still a representative and her continuous support for the Student Rights and Welfare Bill in the Senate.

Hontiveros thanked SCAP for acknowledging her support for students through measures such as the Mental Health Law and Bawal Bastos Act.

In 2021, Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 901 in coordination with SCAP to call for the declaration of an Education crisis as millions of students lagged behind in the distance learning setup due to the pandemic.

She has worked closely with student councils to strengthen mental health policies and programs, and establish gender or anti-sexual harassment desks in universities.

“Marami pa tayong kailangan gawin kasama ang mga kabataan. For as long as I am in the Senate, my office will always be a space for the youth to speak and be heard,” Hontiveros said.