Election Profile: Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., #11

Personal Information

• Age and Date of Birth: 58 (Sept. 25, 1966)
• Party: LAKAS Christian-Muslim Democrats (CMD)
• Highest Educational Attainment:
  • Doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration by Cavite State University
  • Humanities degree from Nueva Vizcaya University
• Highest Government Position Held: Senator

Summary:

• Lower prices of goods
• Push for programs for farmers and fishermen
• Provide solutions to flood problems
• Lower the optional retirement age for government workers, among others

Stance on Key Issues

On Poverty, Controlling Inflation, and Jobs

• Advocates for decent wages and has filed several across-the-board wage hike proposals.
• Co-authored the P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act of 2023, approved by the Senate in 2024 but not yet enacted into law.
• Co-author of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act (2023), which aims to:
  • Generate employment
  • Enhance workforce skills through upskilling and reskilling programs
• Filed Senate Bill No. 1960, seeking to establish the Poverty Reduction Through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) program.

On Fighting Graft and Corruption

• Voted in favor of Senate Bill No. 2232 (2021), legalizing and taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).
• In 2024, changed stance and stated that the “country will be better off without them” based on legislative inquiries into POGOs.

Stance on Other Key Issues

On the West Philippine Sea

• Principal author and co-sponsor of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (2024) aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• Co-author of RA 12065, establishing the country's archipelagic sea lanes, regulating foreign ships and aircraft passing through Philippine waters.
• Signed 2021 resolution condemning China’s illegal activities within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Called the 2023 water cannon incident a “blatant disregard” of Philippine autonomy and sovereignty.

On the Drug War

• 2023: Supported Duterte’s War on Drugs, stating it was “backed by the Filipino people” who “felt the results.”
• Defended Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa and ex-President Rodrigo Duterte against potential International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants of arrest, calling the ICC “bullies driven by their own selfish interests” and accusing them of a “baseless persecution.”

On Disaster Preparedness

• Advocates for climate adaptation and resilience programs.
• Filed bills to improve disaster preparedness, including:
  • Calamities' Hazard Mitigation Program Act
  • Language Accessibility of Public Information on Disasters Act
  • Gender Responsive and Inclusive Management Act of 2023
• Filed Senate Bill No. 686 (2022) to assign a permanent disaster risk officer in every LGU.
• Chaired hearings on flooding issues after Super Typhoon Carina (2024) and emphasized the lack of an integrated master plan for flood management.

Government Experience / Field of Expertise

• Senator (2004-2016, 2019-2025)
  • Authored notable laws such as:
    • Mandatory Helmet Act
    • Open High School System Act
    • Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act
    • No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act
    • Expanded Centenarian Act
    • Philippine New Passport Act
• Chairman, Videogram Regulatory Board (2002-2004), now Optical Media Board.
• Governor of Cavite (1998-2001); Appointed in 1997
• Vice Governor of Cavite (1995-1998)

Issues and Controversies

• 2013 Pork Barrel Scam:
  • Implicated in the ₱10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam with Janet Lim Napoles.
  • Allegedly diverted funds to fake NGOs linked to Napoles in exchange for ₱224.5 million in kickbacks.
  • 2014: Arrested after plunder and graft charges filed by the Ombudsman.
  • 2017-2018: Plunder trial lasted over 4 years.
  • 2018: Acquitted of plunder but ordered to return ₱124.5 million to the National Treasury.
  • 2021: Cleared of 16 graft charges due to insufficient evidence.

Family Members in Government

Immediate Family

Lani Mercado-Revilla (Wife)

• Representative, Cavite 2nd District (2010-2016; 2022-2025)
• Mayor, Bacoor City (2016-2022)
• Seeking reelection

Ramon "Jolo" Revilla III (Son)

• Representative, Cavite 1st District (2022-2025)
• Vice Governor, Cavite (2013-2022)
• Chairperson, Barangay Panapaan, Bacoor (2010-2013)

Ram Revilla Bautista (Son)

• Board Member, Cavite 2nd District (2022-2025)
• Running for Cavite Vice Governor

Bryan Revilla (Son)

• Representative, AGIMAT Party List (2022-2025)

Extended Family Members in Government

Ramon B. Revilla Sr. (Father)

• Senator (1992-2004)

Rowena Bautista-Mendiola (Sister)

• Vice Mayor, Bacoor City (2022-2025)
• Councilor, Bacoor (2013-2022)
• Councilor, Imus (1998-1992)

Marion Bautista (Brother)

• Third Nominee, 1PACMAN Party-list (2019-2025)

Strike Revilla (Brother)

• Mayor, Bacoor City (2007-2016; 2022-2025)
• Representative, Cavite 2nd District (2016-2022)
• Provincial Board Member, Cavite 1st District (1998-2004)

Gregorio Miguel "Igi" Revilla Ocampo Jr. (Nephew)

• Councilor, Imus City (2022-2025)

Robert Vincent Jude "Dudut" Jaworski Jr. (Nephew)

• Vice Mayor, Pasig City (2022-2025)
• Representative, Pasig City Lone District (2004-2007)
• Councilor, San Juan City (1995-1998)

Casimiro "Jun" Ynares III (Brother-in-law)

• Mayor, Antipolo City (2022-2025)
• Governor, Rizal (2007-2013)

Robert Jaworski (Brother-in-law)

• Senator (1998-2004)