Bong Revilla

Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. ( /rɛbɪljɑː/ born José Maria Mortel Bautista Jr.; September 25, 1966[2][3]), also known as simply Bong Revilla, is a Filipino actor, television presenter and politician, who is a Senator of the Philippines. In 2009, he legally changed his surname to Bong Revilla.[3]

The Honorable Bong Revilla
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2019
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2016
Senate positions Chair of the Philippine Senate Public Information and Mass Media; Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation Committee Incumbent Assumed office July 22, 2019 Succeeded by
Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board
In office May 30, 2002 – February 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	Juanito Victor Remulla
Preceded by	Epimaco Velasco
Succeeded by	Erineo Maliksi
Vice Governor of Cavite
In office June 30, 1995 – February 6, 1998
Governor	Epimaco Velasco
Preceded by	Danilo Lara
Succeeded by	Juanito Victor Remulla
Personal details
Born	José Maria Mortel Bautista Jr. September 25, 1966 Manila, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	Lakas–CMD (1994–present)
Other political affiliations	Hugpong ng Pagbabago (c. 2019)
Spouse(s)	Lani Mercado ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	6 (inc. Jose Lorenzo)
Residence	Bacoor, Cavite
Occupation	Actor TV host politician
Net worth	₱176.4 million[1] (Dec. 31, 2019)
Website	Official website

Revilla was first elected to the Senate in 2004, succeeding his father. 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.[4]

Bong Revilla was acquitted of plunder and released on December 7, 2018, but was required to return to the government ‎₱124.5 million (US$2.4 million) in civil liability.[5][6] He stand accused of 16 counts of graft for allegedly allocating ‎₱517 million (US$9.98 million) of his discretionary funds to bogus foundations.[7][8][9][10]

Early life and education

He was born José Maria Mortel Bautista Jr. to actor José Acuña Bautista Sr. (also known as Ramón Revilla) and Azucena Mortel.[11] In 1979, he finished his elementary education at Jesus Good Shepherd School in Palico II, Imus, Cavite. He finished his secondary education at Fairfax High School (Los Angeles) at Los Angeles, California, United States in 1982.

Acting career

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-7.

As a native of Bacoor, Cavite, he made several films focused on his home province.

Revilla's acting career was put onto hiatus due to being arrested for graft and plunder charges. After five years of detainment, he returned to acting under GMA Network. He will be part of his upcoming drama fantasy series for kids entitled Agimat ng Agila,[12] alongside Sanya Lopez, Allen Dizon, and Roi Vinzon.[13] It was supposed to replace Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko because of Gloria Romero's health issues, but she was recovered from vertigo.[14]

Political career

Vice-Governor and Governor of Cavite

He was invited by former NBI director Epimaco Velasco to be his running mate as vice governor of Cavite. In the 1995 local elections, Velasco and Revilla won as governor and vice governor, beating the tandem of Juanito Remulla Sr. and Danilo Lara.

In February 1998, Velasco resigned as governor of Cavite when he was appointed as secretary of Interior and Local Government, replacing then senatorial candidate Robert Barbers. Revilla then assumed the governornship of the province.

In the May 1998 local elections, he won a full term for the position of governor.

In his May 2001 reelection bid for governor, he was trounced by then-Representative Erineo 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.

Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board

In 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Revilla as Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board (now Optical Media Board). 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.

Senator

In February 2004, Revilla resigned as Chairman of the VRB and recommended Edu Manzano as his replacement. His father, Ramon Revilla, ended his term as senator on June 30, 2004. Revilla Sr. was elected senator in 1992, reelected in 1998, and could not run for third term according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Revilla 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. He was then reelected for a second consecutive term with the highest number of votes in 2010, serving until 2016.

Potential presidential bid

with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada after the Revilla's speech Salamat, Kaibigan on June 9, 2014

Despite the weakness of the Lakas party due to the arrest of Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Revilla assumed the chairmanship of the party replacing Arroyo, and was to potentially run as standard bearer of the party in the 2016 presidential election.[15] On Election Day May 13, 2013, the Cavite PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation raided the house of Revilla, and according to Revilla, he was harassed by the group of Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former Gov. Ayong Maliksi.[16]

Involvement in the pork barrel scam

After the 2013 elections, he was allegedly involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, along with then Senate Pres. 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.[17] A month later, the National Bureau of Investigation filed plunder cases against Revilla, Enrile, and Estrada.[18]

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-DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas and Budget Sec. Florencio "Butch" Abad to convince him to convict the Chief Justice, Renato Corona.[19]

The Office of the Ombudsman, on April 1, 2014, found probable cause to indict Revilla, Enrile, Estrada, and Napoles with plunder,[20] and filed plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan on June 6, 2014.[21]

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.[22]

The Sandiganbayan suspended Revilla from public office and his senior aide Richard Cambe on August 4, 2014, for 90 days.[23] Revilla's bank accounts were frozen in 2015 as a consequence of the alleged involvement in the scam.[24]

His trial for plunder was rescheduled several times due to various motions filed by Revilla. The trial finally began on June 22, 2017.[25]

Acquittal and return as Senator

Revilla (1st from the left) during the proclamation of the winning twelve senators by the Commission on Elections on May 22, 2019.

In 2018, Revilla through his wife 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 the opposition coalition "Tindig Pilipinas" due to his involvement in the PDAF scam with Jinggoy Estrada. On December 7, 2018, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Revilla on the PDAF scam, but he paid a ₱480,000 bail for sixteen counts of graft cases,[26] but his chief aide Richard Cambe and the PDAF scam mastermind Janet Napoles was convicted.

As part of his campaign, Revilla released a campaign video that featured himself and a group of children and his son Jolo Revilla dancing to budots.[27] He was successfully elected to the Senate, placing eleventh.

Personal life

Ramon "Bong" Bong Revilla Jr. married Lani Mercado (Jesusa Victoria Hernandez-Bautista), incumbent Mayor of Bacoor, in a civil wedding in 1986. They have six children, namely:

• Leonard Bryan Bautista (born in November 1986)
• Jose Lorenzo Bautista III (Ramon "Jolo" Revilla III, born in March 1988), Vice Governor of Cavite, married to Angelica Alita
• Inah Felicia Bautista-Del Rosario (born in October 1989) married to Vince del Rosario
• Ma. Viktoria Gianna Bautista (born in August 1995)
• Ma. Franzel Loudette Bautista (born in October 1997)
• Ramon Vicente "Ramboy/RV" Bautista (born December 1998)

Revilla is one of seven children of former Philippine senator Ramon Revilla Sr. and fourth child of Azucena Mortel Bautista. He is the older brother of Strike Revilla, incumbent representative of the 2nd legislative district of Cavite which comprise only of the City of Bacoor, and Andrea Bautista-Ynares, incumbent mayor of Antipolo and is married to former Rizal Governor Casimiro "Jun" Ynares III. His younger half-brother Ram Revilla, also an actor, was murdered in his home, and declared dead in the early hours of October 2011. He was 23 years old.[28]

Health

On August 9, 2020, Revilla tested positive for COVID-19 and went into quarantine. His wife and children tested negative.[29][30][31] He was rushed to a hospital on August 19 due to pneumonia.[32] He ended his isolation on September 3 as he had recovered from the disease.[33]

Awards

Year	Award-Giving Body	Category	Recipient	Result
2001	PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Comedy Actor	Ang alamat	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)[34]	Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote	Won

Filmography

Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr.
Born	Jose Maria Mortel Bautista Jr. September 25, 1966 Manila, Philippines
Other names	Bong Revilla
Occupation	Actor, TV host, politician, comedian
Years active	1983–present (on hiatus from 2014-18)
Spouse(s)	Lani Mercado
Children	6 (inc. Jose Lorenzo)
Website	Official website

Television

Title	TV Network	Year	Ref.
Idol Ko si Kap	GMA Network	2000–2005
HP: To the Highest Level Na!		2005–2007
Kap's Amazing Stories		2007–2014
Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla presents Pepeng Agimat	ABS-CBN	2009-2010	[35]
Indio	GMA Network	2013	[36]
Agimat ng Agila		2021	[14]

Film

Title	Role	Production	Year
Dugong Buhay	Alvaro	Viva Films Imus Productions	1983
Pieta, Ang Ikalawang Aklat (Pieta, the Second Book)	Noel	Amazlady Films	1984
Sa Dibdib ng Sierra Madre	Manuel	Imus Productions	1985
Celeste Gang	Mortemer 'Bitoy' Marcelo	Sapphire Films International Imus Productions	1985
Boboy Tibayan: Tigre ng Cavite	Boboy Tibayan	Imus Productions	1986
Beloy Montemayor	Beloy Montemayor	Imus Productions	1986
Payaso		Sialina Films Enterprises Imus Productions	1986
Anak ng Supremo (Kid of Supremo)		RNB Films Productions Imus Productions	1986
Agaw-Armas	Benjie	Bukang Liwayway Golden Lion Films Viva Films Imus Productions	1986
Isa Lang ang Dapat Mabuhay		Sapphire Films International Imus Productions	1986
Masyong Bagwisa Jr.: Bodyguard	Masyong Bagwisa Jr.		1986
Sgt. Villapando: A.W.O.L.		Intervision Films Imus Productions	1986
Sparrow Unit: The Termination Squad	Cris	Cine Suerte Production Davian International	1987
Boy Tornado	Boy Tornado	RRJ Productions Imus Productions	1987
Anak ng Lupa (Child of the World)	Hector	Viva Films Imus Productions	1987
Dongalo Massacre		Serres Films Imus Productions	1988
Alega Gang: Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu	Ulysses "Buboy" Alega	RNB Films Production	1988
Iyo ang Batas, Akin ang Katarungan	Dante Reyes	Buena Films International	1988
Lost Command		Cine Suerte Imus Productions	1988
Cordillera	Lt. Donlego Tuglao	LEA Productions Imus Productions	1988
Chinatown: Sa Kuko ng Dragon		Four-N-Films	1988
Florencio Diño: Public Enemy No. 1 of Caloocan	Florencio Diño	Bonanza Films Imus Productions	1989
Moises Platon	Moises Platon	Cine Suerte Imus Productions	1989
Isang Bala Isang Buhay	Daniel	Viva Films Imus Productions	1989
Urbanito Dizon	Urbanito Dizon	RNB Films Productions Seiko Films Imus Productions	1990
Bala at Rosario	Armand	Vision Films Imus Productions	1990
APO: Kingpin ng Maynila	Magno	LEA Productions Imus Productions	1990
Alyas Pogi: Birador ng Nueva Ecija	POGI/Henry Cruz	RRJ Films	1990
Onyong Majikero	Original Onyong	Regal Films Imus Productions	1991
Manong Gang	Brando	Moviestars Productions Imus Productions	1991
Captain Jaylo: Batas sa Batas	Capt. Reynaldo Jaylo	Omega Releasing Organization, Inc. Imus Productions	1991
Leon ng Maynila	Lt. Col. Romeo Maganto	Moviestars Productions Imus Productions	1991
Alyas Pogi 2	POGI/Henry Cruz	Moviestars Productions Imus Productions	1992
Hanggang May Buhay	Sgt. Alex Aragon	Bonanza Films Imus Productions	1992
Pangako Sa'yo	Benjie	Viva Films Imus Productions	1992
Ako ang Katarungan: Lt. Napoleon M. Guevarra	Lt. Napoleon M. Guevarra	Seiko Films RRJ Productions Imus Productions	1992
Dugo ng Panday	Flavio/Panday	Regal Films	1993
Adan Ronquillo	Adan Ronquillo	Regal Films Star Cinema	1993
Sala sa Init, Sala sa Lamig	Bingo	Viva Films	1993
Relax Ka Lang, Sagot Kita	Lt. Daniel Santiago	Moviestars Productions Novastar Films	1994
Iukit Mo sa Bala	Dr. Roberto Guerrero	Star Cinema Megavision Films Regal Films	1994
Walang Matigas na Pulis, Sa Matinik na Misis	Capt. Bartholome Renaldo	Moviestars Productions Imus Productions	1994
Pustahan Tayo, Mahal Mo Ako	Dante	Regal Films Imus Productions	1995
Batas Ko ang Katapat Mo	Abner	RRJ Productions Regal Films Imus Productions	1995
Wilson Sorronda: Leader Kuratong Baleleng's Solid Group		Regal Films Golden Lion Films Imus Productions	1995
Ang Titser Kong Pogi	Joey Perez	Mahogany Pictures RRJ Films Imus Productions	1995
SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter	SPO4 Jaime Santiago	Mahogany Pictures Viva Films Imus Productions	1996
Pag-ibig Ko sa Iyo'y Totoo	Lt. Mario Romero	Viva Films Imus Productions	1996
Kung Marunong Kang Magdasal Umpisahan Mo Na	Alex	Regal Films Imus Productions	1997
Yes Darling: Walang Matigas Na Pulis 2	Major Bartolome Renaldo	Regal Films Imus Productions	1997
Sabi Mo Mahal Mo Ako, Wala ng Bawian	Capt. Gerry Mercado	Star Cinema Imus Productions	1997
Buhay Mo'y Buhay Ko Rin	Insp. Dave Gomez	Viva Films Imus Productions	1997
Onyok Tigasin	Onyok Tigasin	Mahogany Pictures Imus Productions	1997
Ben Delubyo	Ben Delubyo	Neo Films RRJ Films	1998
Alyas Pogi: Ang Pagbabalik	POGI/Henry Cruz	Star Cinema Imus Productions	1998
Pepeng Agimat	Pepeng Agimat	Millenium Cinema Imus Productions	1999
Minsan Ko Lang Sasabihin	Alex Sembrano	Millenium Cinema Imus Productions	2000
Mahal Kita: Final Answer!	Nino	Viva Films Imus Productions	2002
Kilabot at Kembot	Leon	Imus Productions	2002
Ang Agimat: Anting-anting ni Lolo	Paolo/Enteng/Matandang Ketongin	Imus Productions	2002
Bertud ng Putik	Gabriel de Dios	Imus Productions	2003
Captain Barbell	Captain Barbell	Viva Films Imus Productions	2003
Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom	Exodus	Imus Productions	2005
Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso: Not Once, But Twice	Marco	Imus Productions	2006
Resiklo	Commander Crisval Sarmiento	Imus Productions	2007
Ang Panday	Flavio	GMA Films & Imus Productions	2009
Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote	Agimat	GMA Films Imus Productions M-Zet Films	2010
Ang Panday 2	Flavio	GMA Films Imus Productions	2011
Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Ako	Agimat	GMA Films Imus Productions M-Zet Films	2012

Producer

• Alyas Pogi 2 (1991) (executive producer - as Jose Mari Bautista)
• Ako Ang Katarungan (Lt. Napoleon M. Guevarra) (1993) (producer - Jose Mari Bautista)
• Iukit Mo sa Bala! (1994) (producer - as Jose Mari M. Bautista)
• Ang Titser Kong Pogi (1995) (executive producer - as Jose Mari M. Bautista)
• Kung Marunong Kang Magdasal, Umpisahan Mo Na (1996) (producer - as Jose Mari Bautista)
• Yes Darling: Walang Matigas na Pulis 2 (1997) (producer - as Jose Mari M. Bautista)
• Sabi Mo Mahal Mo Ako, Wala Ng Bawian (1997) (producer - as Jose Mari M. Bautista)
• Pepeng Agimat (1999) (line producer - as Jose Mari Bautista)
• Minsan ko Lang Sasabihin (2000) (line producer - as Jose Mari M. Bautista)

References

1. "TABLE SUMMARY: 2019 STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND NET WORTH As of December 31, 2019" (PDF). senate.gov.ph. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
2. Senate of the Philippines - Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. Archived November 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
3. Revilla Jr.'s surname is now Bong Revilla http://www.gmanews.tv/story/184067/revilla-jrs-surname-is-now-bong-revilla
4. Calonzo, Andreo (June 20, 2014). "TIMELINE: Senator Bong Revilla's arrest and detention for certified plunderer". GMA News. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
5. "From arrest to acquittal: Bong Revilla's 'pork barrel' case". ABS CBN News. December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
6. Marcelo, Elizabeth (January 31, 2019). "Compel Bong Revilla to pay P124.5-million liabilities, Sandiganbayan urged". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
7. Jimenez, Raffy (December 7, 2018). "Bong Revilla posts P480,000-bail for graft case". MSN. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
8. Buan, Lian (December 7, 2018). "Sandiganbayan acquits Bong Revilla of plunder". Rappler. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
9. Roxas, Joseph Tristan (March 7, 2019). "Sandiganbayan cancels Bong Revilla's graft trial due to Napoles conviction". GMA News Online. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
10. Buan, Lian (January 30, 2019). "Ombudsman: Revilla must pay back plundered P124.5M". Rappler. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
11. Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. Official Website Public Profile Archived January 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
12. Ilaya, Felix. "IN PHOTOS: Senator Bong Revilla, magbabalik-telebisyon sa 'Agimat Ng Agila'". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
13. "CONFIRMED: Sanya Lopez, itatambal kay Sen. Bong Revilla sa 'Agimat ng Agila'". Bored Productive. February 4, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
14. "Senator Bong Revilla, malapit na ang pagbabalik sa GMA-7". PEP.ph. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
15. Boncocan, Karen (January 31, 2013). "Bong Revilla a strong contender in 2016 – Lakas-CMD". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
16. "More police surround Revillas' ancestral home in Cavite". Retrieved April 19, 2015.
17. Rappler.com (August 16, 2013). "COA special report on PDAF, 2007-2009". Rappler. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
18. Rappler.com (September 16, 2013). "Plunder complaints vs Estrada, JPE, Revilla". Rappler. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
19. Bong Revilla: PNoy personally asked me to convict Corona | News | GMA News Online
20. Legaspi, Amita O. (April 1, 2014). "Ombudsman to file plunder charges vs. Enrile, Revilla, Estrada over 'pork' scam". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
21. Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (June 6, 2014). "Ombudsman files plunder raps vs Napoles, Enrile, Estrada, Revilla". Inquirer News. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
22. "Bong Revilla off to surrender to anti-graft court". Rappler. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
23. Chiu, Patricia Denise (August 4, 2014). "Sandiganbayan orders suspension of Revilla, Cambe". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
24. "Revilla accounts frozen, but only P291,205 left". Philippine Star. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
25. Nicholls, AC (June 22, 2017). "Ex-senator Revilla skips first day of plunder trial". CNN. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
26. "Bong Revilla cleared of plunder in pork barrel scam case". ABS-CBN News.
27. "Netizens slam senatorial candidate Bong Revilla for 'Budot dance' campaign video". Coconuts Manila. May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
28. "Son of former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. killed in Paranaque". Retrieved April 19, 2015.
29. "Bong Revilla gets COVID-19". The Philippine Star. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
30. "Bong Revilla: I am COVID-19 positive". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
31. "Senator Bong Revilla tests positive for COVID-19". CNN Philippines. August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
32. "Bong Revilla rushed to hospital, says wife Lani". ABS-CBN News. August 18, 2020.
33. Domingo, Katrina (September 4, 2020). "Bong Revilla ends isolation after COVID-19 recovery". ABS-CBN News.
34. "42nd Box-Office Entertainment Awards honors outstanding actors and actresses of 2010". Pep.ph. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
35. Donato, Jerry (June 21, 2009). "4 for Agimat". PhilStar Global. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
36. Almo, Nerisa (February 21, 2020). "Bong Revilla undergoes acting workshop for GMA-7 series 'Indio'". GMA News. Retrieved February 21, 2020.

External links

• Official website
• Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. at IMDb