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Senator of the Philippines (2004–16; since 2019) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ramon Bautista Bong Revilla Jr.[a] (Tagalog: [rɛˈbiljɐ]; born Jose Mari Bautista;[3] September 25, 1966[1]) and commonly known as Bong Revilla, is a Filipino actor, director, producer, television presenter and politician serving as a Senator since 2019, and previously from 2004 to 2016.
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Bong Revilla | |
|---|---|
Bong Revilla in 2014 | |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2019 | |
| In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2016 | |
| Chair of the Senate Public Works Committee | |
| Assumed office July 25, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Manny Pacquiao |
| Chair of the Senate Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation Committee | |
| Assumed office July 22, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Antonio Trillanes |
| Chair of the Senate Public Information and Mass Media Committee | |
| In office July 22, 2019 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Grace Poe |
| Succeeded by | Robin Padilla |
| Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board | |
| In office May 30, 2002 – February 10, 2004 | |
| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Manuel Mariano |
| Succeeded by | Edu Manzano |
| Governor of Cavite | |
| In office February 6, 1998 – June 30, 2001 | |
| Vice Governor | Jonvic Remulla |
| Preceded by | Epimaco Velasco |
| Succeeded by | Ayong Maliksi |
| Vice Governor of Cavite | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – February 6, 1998 | |
| Governor | Epimaco Velasco |
| Preceded by | Danilo Lara |
| Succeeded by | Jonvic Remulla |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jose Mari Bautista Jr. September 25, 1966 Manila, Philippines[1] |
| Political party | Lakas–CMD |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 8 (inc. Jolo) |
| Residence(s) | Bacoor, Cavite |
| Occupation |
|
| Signature |  |
| Website | Official website |
The son of actor-politician Ramon Revilla Sr., he himself became an action star in the 1980s and 1990s as Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., starring in the Alyas Pogi film series where he portrayed Nueva Ecija policeman Henry Cruz.[4] He started his political career in Cavite, serving as vice governor (1995–1998) and later governor (1998–2001). He was the chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board from 2002 to 2004.
Revilla was first elected to the Senate in 2004. He successfully ran for a second term and topped the senatorial race in 2010. His alleged involvement in the Napoles pork barrel scam led the Sandiganbayan to issue an arrest warrant against him and other co-accused on June 20, 2014. Within hours, Revilla surrendered before the anti-graft court.[5]
Bong Revilla was acquitted of plunder and released on December 7, 2018, but was required to return to the government ₱124.5 million (US$2.53 million) in civil liability.[6][7] He stood accused of 16 counts of graft for his alleged role in the transfer of ₱517 million (US$10.5 million) of his discretionary funds to bogus foundations until all cases was junked by Sandiganbayan on 2021, however, he has yet to return the required amount he was asked to give back before his acquittal.[8][9][10][11] He later secured a comeback to the Senate in 2019.
Bong Revilla was born as Jose Mari Mortel Bautista Jr. to actor Jose Acuña Bautista Sr. (1927–2020, known professionally as Ramon Revilla) and Azucena Mortel (1944–1998).[12] In 1977, he finished his elementary education at Jesus Good Shepherd School in Palico II, Imus, Cavite. He finished his secondary education at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1982.[13]
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He starred in a number of action films during the 1980s and the 1990s. In a few films he worked alongside his father, Ramón Sr. He has also appeared in a number of comedy films and television shows with GMA Network.
As a native of Bacoor, Cavite, he made several films focused on his home province.[citation needed]
Revilla's acting career was put onto hiatus in 2014 due to being arrested for graft and plunder charges. After five years of detainment, he returned to acting under GMA Network. He became part of his drama fantasy series for kids entitled Agimat ng Agila,[14] alongside Sanya Lopez, Allen Dizon, and Roi Vinzon.[15]
In June 1994, Revilla became a member of the then-ruling Lakas–NUCD party, which drafted him to be their gubernatorial candidate in Cavite.[16] According to him, it was President Fidel V. Ramos who first convinced him to enter politics and invited him to join the party.[17] However, he was invited by National Bureau of Investigation director Epimaco Velasco to be his running mate instead in the province. In the 1995 local elections, Velasco and Revilla won as governor and vice governor, beating the tandem of Juanito Remulla Sr. and Danilo Lara.
As vice governor, he chaired Cavite's Provincial Task Force Against Illegal Gambling named "Task Force Sugal na Bawal", Cavite Multi-Agency Anti-Drug Council, and Task Force Bantay Likas Yaman.[18] His anti-drug efforts earned him recognitions from the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association, Inc.[19] He also founded the Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. Foundation Inc. and the RRJ People's Organization Inc., where he served as chairman and president and chairman, respectively.
In February 1998, Velasco resigned as governor of Cavite when he was appointed as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, replacing then senatorial candidate Robert Barbers. Revilla then assumed the governorship of the province. In the May 1998 local elections, he won a full term for the position of governor.
As governor, Revilla also chaired various civic organizations such as the Cavite Clean and Green project, Region IV Peace and Order Council, Calabarzon Development Council, Cavite Provincial Peace and Order Council, Provincial Development Council, and the Cavite Provincial Tourism Council. He also founded the Cavite Rescue 161, an emergency response unit of the province. During his term as governor, the Cavite Computer Center and the Cavite-Korea Friendship Hospital were established, while projects such as the Cavite Sports Complex and the Cavite Convention Center were commenced. The Proposed Conceptual Provincial Development Plan of Cavite, also called Vision 2020, was also furnished during this term.[18]
He completed a Special Local Chief Executive Program on Local Governance at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Pasig in 1998. He was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Press Club in 1998 and was named as Most Outstanding Governor of Gawad Papuri Awards in 1999 and Most Outstanding Governor of the Department of Health Sandugo National Program in 2000.[13]
During the Second EDSA Revolution from January 16 to 20, 2001, Revilla's political career deteriorated when he called for the resignation of his godfather, President Joseph Estrada, who was impeached and removed from office due to graft and corruption charges, at the height of the protest.[13][20] In his May 2001 reelection bid for governor, he was trounced by then-Representative Ayong Maliksi by a wide margin.
He returned to his acting career and became a TV actor in GMA Network's sitcom Idol Ko si Kap.
In July 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Revilla as Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board (now Optical Media Board). Revilla launched a massive campaign against the rampant smuggling and selling of fake VCDs all over the country.[13] The Board was able to conduct 3480 major operations including routine inspections throughout the Philippines which seized goods worth over ₱5 billion, convicted 21 optical disc pirates, 2 videotape pirates and 5 large-scale distributors and retailers. He was given a Plaque of International Recognition for Efforts Against Piracy by the Motion Picture Association of America on July 23, 2003, and the Huwarang Lingkod Bayan Award by the Consumers League of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. on October 25, 2003.
He also completed his course on Philippine Legislative Institutions and Processes at the Development Academy of the Philippines in November 2003.[18]
In February 2004, Revilla resigned as Chairman of the VRB and recommended Edu Manzano as his replacement. His father, Ramon Revilla Sr., ended his term as senator on June 30, 2004, upon being term-limited by the 1987 Philippine Constitution as he was elected senator in 1992 and reelected in 1998. He ran for the position of senator under the administration K-4 coalition. He won and received the second highest number of votes from the national electorate.
During the 14th Congress, Revilla was named as chairman of the Senate Committees on Public Works and on Public Services, which he used to push his travel safety advocacies. One of his remarkable accomplishments is the Mandatory Helmet Act, which obliged all motorcycle riders, including back riders, to wear standard protective helmet to reduce motorcycle-related accidents in the country. Because of the said road safety measure, he was named Safety Ambassador both by the Land Transportation Office and Suzuki Philippines Inc. During the 15th Congress, he pursued policies on social justice, travel safety, lower tax, community empowerment and infrastructure development. He also pushed for the passage of his separate bills that would grant wage increase for private sector and government employees.[19]
He was then reelected for a second consecutive term with the highest number of votes in 2010, serving until 2016. On May 29, 2012, Revilla was one of the 20 senator-judges who voted to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Despite the weakness of the Lakas party due to the arrest of former president and Pampanga 2nd district Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Revilla assumed the chairmanship of the party on February 5, 2013. He succeeded Albay 1st district Representative Edcel Lagman and was to potentially run as standard bearer of the party in the 2016 presidential election.[21][22] On May 13, 2013, the day of the 2013 elections, the Cavite Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation raided the house of Revilla, and according to Revilla, he was harassed by the group of Senator Panfilo Lacson and former Governor Ayong Maliksi.[23]
![Thumb](#/media/File:Bong_Revilla_after_delivering_"Salamat,_Kaibigan".jpg)
After the 2013 elections, he was allegedly involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, along with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Jinggoy Estrada, contributing to entrepreneur Janet Lim-Napoles' alleged bogus foundations.
The Commission on Audit, in its two-year investigation released on August 16, 2013, reported on the questionable release of the Priority Development Assistance Fund by 12 senators, including Revilla, and 180 representatives of Congress.[24] A month later, the National Bureau of Investigation filed plunder cases against Revilla, Enrile, and Estrada.[25]
On January 20, 2014, in his privilege speech to the Senate, he criticized the Aquino administration, revealing that he was talked to by the President along with then-Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas and Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad to convince him to convict the Chief Justice, Renato Corona.[26]
The Office of the Ombudsman, on April 1, 2014, found probable cause to indict Revilla, Enrile, Estrada, and Napoles with plunder,[27] and filed plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan on June 6, 2014.[28]
On June 9, 2014, Revilla delivered a second privilege speech entitled "Salamat, Kaibigan", as charges were filed against him in the Sandiganbayan. On June 20, the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against Revilla and more than 30 others. Revilla proceeded to the Sandiganbayan to surrender, and he chose to be detained at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame, Quezon City.[29]
The Sandiganbayan suspended Revilla from public office and his senior aide Richard Cambe on August 4, 2014, for 90 days.[30] Revilla's bank accounts were frozen in 2015 as a consequence of the alleged involvement in the scam.[31]
His trial for plunder was rescheduled several times due to various motions filed by Revilla. The trial finally began on June 22, 2017.[32]
In 2018, Revilla through his wife, then Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado, filed his candidacy for senator for the 2019 elections, with the endorsement of Presidential Daughter and de facto First Lady Sara Duterte, who is the leader of the political coalition Hugpong ng Pagbabago in order to include him to her 14 (later 16)-candidate slate for the Senate election in May 2019, which was criticized by opposition coalition Tindig Pilipinas due to his involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam with Jinggoy Estrada. On December 7, 2018, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Revilla of plunder in the PDAF scam. He still faces charges for 16 counts of graft, for which he posted ₱480,000 bail.[33][34] His chief aide Richard Cambe and PDAF scam mastermind Janet Napoles were convicted.
As part of his campaign, Revilla released a campaign video that featured himself and a group of children and his son Jolo dancing to budots.[35] He was elected to the Senate, placing eleventh in 2019 elections.
In September 2021, the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) Law, which regulated and legalized POGOs nationwide, was signed into law by President Duterte. Senator Revilla voted in favor of the controversial law that legalized gambling corporations known for illegal activities, ranging from tax evasions to harboring illegal Chinese nationals. [36][37]
On November 17, 2021, he offered Davao City Mayor and 2022 vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte the chairmanship of Lakas-CMD, which she later accepted, succeeding him.[38] He later became one of the party's co-chairpersons.[39] Revilla currently chairs the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulations and the Senate Committee on Public Works.
A Revilla-sponsored Senate Bill in the Philippines this December 2022 is currently proposing to lower the age by which Senior Citizen benefits can be enjoyed, from 60 to 56 years old.[40] Revilla celebrated his 56th birthday September of this year, which he marked with a month-long celebration, which included grocery, cash, and other giveaways.[41][42]
On May 19, 2023, he was reinstalled as chairman of Lakas–CMD, replacing Sara Duterte, who left the party earlier that day.[43]
Ramon "Bong" Bautista Bong Revilla Jr. (after his 2009 legal name change[44][45]) married Lani Mercado (Jesusa Victoria Hernandez-Bautista), an actress and incumbent representative of the 2nd district of Cavite that comprise only of the City of Bacoor, in a civil wedding in 1986. They have seven children, namely:
Revilla also had an affair with Lovely Guzman, a non-showbiz personality whom he had dated before marrying Mercado. Together, they have one son named Luigi (born Francis Luigi Guzman in 1992); Guzman would later marry Patrick Joseph Santos, who also legally adopted Luigi, in 1999.[50][51] His relationship with Guzman rekindled after he lost his daughter with Mercado, named Maria Alexandra, who died just 26 days after birth due to a heart condition resulted by the use of contraceptives.[52] Mercado chose to stay with him due to her love for him and their children.[53]
Revilla is the fourth of the seven children of actor and former Philippine senator Ramon Revilla Sr. and Azucena Mortel Bautista. He is the younger brother of Marlon Bautista, a former nominee of 1-Pacman Party List,[54] and the older brother of incumbent Bacoor mayor Strike Revilla and former Antipolo mayor Andrea Bautista-Ynares, who is married to former Rizal governor Casimiro "Jun" Ynares III. He also has at least 32 paternal half-siblings,[55][56] including actor Ram Revilla, who was murdered in 2011.[57]
On August 9, 2020, Revilla tested positive for COVID-19 and went into quarantine. His wife and children tested negative.[58][59][60] He was rushed to a hospital on August 19 due to pneumonia.[61] He ended his isolation on September 3 as he had recovered from the disease.[62]
In April 2024, Revilla was hospitalized after partially tearing his Achilles tendon during the shooting of his upcoming movie Birador: Alyas Pogi 4, the fourth installment of Alyas Pogi that marks his movie comeback after 12 years.[63] On April 18, he underwent an Achilles tendon rupture surgery at St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City, with recovery expected in three to five months.[64][65]
| Year | Award-Giving Body | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Comedy Actor | Idol Ko si Kap | Won |
| 2009 | Best Educational Program Host | Kap's Amazing Stories | Won | |
| 2009 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actor | Ang Panday | Won |
| 2011 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Box-Office Kings (with Vic Sotto)[66] | Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote | Won |
Two universities have conferred Revilla with honorary doctorates:[18]
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2005 | Idol Ko si Kap | Kap Emilio Noble | GMA Network | |
| 2005–2007 | HP: To the Highest Level Na! | Abel | ||
| 2007–2014 | Kap's Amazing Stories | Host | ||
| 2009–2010 | Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla presents Pepeng Agimat | Felipe Dimaanta Sr. | ABS-CBN | [67] |
| 2013 | Indio | Malaya/Simeon/Indio | GMA Network | [68] |
| 2019 | Magandang Buhay | Guest | ABS-CBN | |
| 2021–2022 | Agimat ng Agila | Gabriel Labrador | GMA Network | [69] |
| 2023–2024 | Walang Matigas Na Pulis sa Matinik Na Misis | Police Maj. Bartolome "Bart"/“Tolome” Reynaldo | [70] | |
| 2023 | Idol ko si Bong: Bong Revilla's 50th Showbiz Anniversary | Himself |
| Year | Title | Role | Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Dugong Buhay | Alvaro | Viva Films Imus Productions |
| 1984 | Pieta, Ang Ikalawang Aklat (Pieta, the Second Book) | Noel | Amazlady Films |
| 1985 | Sa Dibdib ng Sierra Madre | Manuel | Imus Productions |
| 1985 | Celeste Gang | Mortemer Marcelo | Sapphire Films International Imus Productions |
| 1986 | Boboy Tibayan: Tigre ng Cavite | Boboy Tibayan | Imus Productions |
| 1986 | Beloy Montemayor | Beloy Montemayor | Imus Productions |
| 1986 | Payaso | Sialina Films Enterprises | |
| 1986 | Anak ng Supremo (Child of Supremo) | RNB Films | |
| 1986 | Agaw-Armas | Benjie | Bukang Liwayway Films |
| 1986 | Isa Lang ang Dapat Mabuhay | Sapphire Films International | |
| 1986 | Masyong Bagwisa Jr.: Bodyguard | Masyong Bagwisa Jr. | Imusic Productions |
| 1986 | Sgt. Villapando: A.W.O.L. | Sgt. Villapando | Intervision Films |
| 1987 | Target: Sparrow Unit | Cris | Cine Suerte Productions Davian International |
| 1987 | Boy Tornado | Boy Tornado | RRJ Productions |
| 1987 | Anak ng Lupa (Child of the World) | Hector | Viva Films |
| 1988 | Dongalo Massacre | Serres Films | |
| 1988 | Lost Command | Lt. Roland Briones | Cine Suerte |
| 1988 | Alega Gang: Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu | Ulysses "Boboy" Alega | RNB Films Production |
| 1988 | Iyo ang Batas, Akin ang Katarungan | Dante Reyes | Buena Films International |
| 1988 | Cordillera | Lt. Tuglao | LEA Productions |
| 1988 | Chinatown: Sa Kuko ng Dragon | Daniel Moreno | Four-N-Films |
| 1989 | Florencio Diño: Public Enemy No. 1 of Caloocan | Florencio Diño | Bonanza Films |
| 1989 | Moises Platon | Moises Platon | Cine Suerte |
| 1989 | Isang Bala, Isang Buhay | Daniel | Viva Films |
| 1990 | Urbanito Dizon: The Most Notorious Gangster in Luzon | Urbanito Dizon | RNB Film Productions |
| 1990 | Bala at Rosario | Armand | Vision Films |
| 1990 | APO: Kingpin ng Maynila | Lt. Carding Labrador | LEA Productions Imus Productions |
| 1990 | Alyas Pogi: Birador ng Nueva Ecija | Pat. Henry Cruz | RRJ Films |
| 1991 | Onyong Majikero | Onyong | Regal Films |
| 1991 | Manong Gang | Brando | Moviestars Productions |
| 1991 | Captain Jaylo: Batas sa Batas | Capt. Reynaldo Jaylo | Omega Releasing Organization, Inc. |
| 1991 | Leon ng Maynila | Lt. Col. Romeo Maganto | Moviestars Production |
| 1992 | Alyas Pogi 2 | Pat. Henry Cruz | Moviestars Production |
| 1992 | Hanggang May Buhay | Sgt. Alex Aragon | Bonanza Films |
| 1992 | Pangako Sa'yo | Lt. Benjie Cuenco | Viva Films |
| 1993 | Dugo ng Panday | Flavio | Regal Films |
| 1993 | Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo | Adan Ronquillo | Regal Films Star Cinema |
| 1993 | Sala sa Init, Sala sa Lamig | Bingo | Viva Films |
| 1993 | Ako ang Katarungan: Lt. Napoleon M. Guevarra | Lt. Napoleon Guevarra | Seiko Films RRJ Films |
| 1994 | Relax Ka Lang, Sagot Kita | Lt. Daniel Santiago | Moviestars Production Novastar Films |
| 1994 | Iukit Mo sa Bala | Dr. Roberto "Bobby" Guerrero | Star Cinema Megavision Films |
| 1994 | Walang Matigas Na Pulis sa Matinik Na Misis | Capt. Bartolome "Tolome" Reynaldo | Mahogany Pictures RRJ Films Production Moviestars Production |
| 1995 | Pustahan Tayo, Mahal Mo Ako | Dante Aguilar | Regal Films |
| 1995 | Batas Ko ang Katapat Mo | Lt. Abner Sandoval | RRJ Productions Regal Films |
| 1995 | Wilson Sorronda: Leader Kuratong Baleleng's Solid Group | Regal Films Golden Lion Films | |
| 1995 | Ang Titser Kong Pogi | Joey Perez | Mahogany Pictures RRJ Films |
| 1996 | SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter | SPO4 Jaime Santiago | Mahogany Pictures Viva Films |
| 1996 | Pag-ibig Ko sa Iyo'y Totoo | Lt. Mario Romero | Mahogany Pictures Viva Films |
| 1997 | Kung Marunong Kang Magdasal Umpisahan Mo Na | Lt. Alex Cuevo | Regal Films |
| 1997 | Yes Darling: Walang Matigas Na Pulis... 2 | Major Bartolome "Tolome" Reynaldo | Regal Films |
| 1997 | Sabi Mo Mahal Mo Ako, Wala ng Bawian | Capt. Gerry Mercado | Star Cinema |
| 1997 | Buhay Mo'y Buhay Ko Rin | Insp. Dave Gomez | Neo Films |
| 1998 | Ben Delubyo | Capt. Benjamin Fajardo | Neo Films RRJ Films |
| 1998 | Alyas Pogi: Ang Pagbabalik | Pat. Henry Cruz | Star Cinema |
| 1999 | Pepeng Agimat | Pepeng Agimat | Millenium Cinema |
| 2000 | Minsan Ko Lang Sasabihin | Alex Sembrano | Millenium Cinema |
| 2002 | Mahal Kita, Final Answer | Nino Pinlac | Viva Films |
| 2002 | Kilabot at Kembot | Leon | Imus Productions |
| 2002 | Ang Agimat: Anting-anting ni Lolo | Paolo | M-Zet Films Imus Productions |
| 2003 | Bertud ng Putik | Gabriel | Imus Productions |
| 2003 | Captain Barbell | Captain Barbell | Premiere Entertainment Productions Viva Films |
| 2005 | Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom | Exodus | Imus Productions |
| 2006 | Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso: Not Once, But Twice | Marco | Imus Productions |
| 2007 | Resiklo | Commander Sarmiento | Imus Productions |
| 2009 | Ang Panday | Panday | GMA Films Imus Productions |
| 2010 | Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote | Agimat | GMA Films Imus Productions M-Zet Films |
| 2011 | Ang Panday 2 | Panday | GMA Films Imus Productions |
| 2012 | Si Agimat, si Enteng at si Ako | Agimat | GMA Films Imus Productions M-Zet Films |
| TBA | Lagot Ka sa Tatay Ko[71] | ||
| TBA | Birador: Alyas Pogi 4[72][73] | Henry Cruz | Imus Productions |
| TBA | Untitled Brillante Mendoza film[74][75] | Imus Productions |
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