Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr.

He followed his father’s footsteps but chartered his own destiny and made an indelible mark that has now been etched in history.

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., son of the late former Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. and Azucena Mortel Bautista, holds the great distinction for being elected thrice as a lawmaker in the upper chamber of Congress. His three decade-old public service which started during his early days in leading the Province of Cavite consistently championed social justice.

A man of action and defender of the poor and the oppressed, this true-blooded Caviteño has brought these silver screen attributes into real life since 1995 when he served as vice governor. Despite being a rookie public servant, he courageously supported and implemented anti-drug programs as Chairman of the Cavite Multi-Agency Anti-Drug Council (CMAC) which led to the biggest drug haul and apprehension in the Philippines at that time. His vigilant anti-drug efforts earned him a Medal of Valor and an International Award of Honor from the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association, Inc.

In 1998, his record-breaking achievements became the very foundation which launched him towards becoming elected as the provincial governor. During his term, the image of Cavite was transformed from being a notorious murder capital to one of the most peaceful provinces in the country.

He led rescue and retrieval efforts in the M/V Princess of the Orient tragedy in September 1998. This exemplary performance of then Governor Bong Revilla was given due recognition by the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Philippine Coast Guard.

To further environmental causes, he led Cavite's Task Force Bantay Likas Yaman. He also improved social services in the entire province through various programs and projects such as establishment of the Cavite Rescue 161, Cavite Computer Center, and the Cavite-Korea Friendship Hospital. The Conceptual Provincial Development Plan for Cavite - Vision 2020 - was also prepared and presented during his administration.

Appointed chairman of Videogram Regulatory Board (now Optical Media Board) in 2002,  he  vigorously fought  video and music piracy, leaving no stones unturned in running after syndicates and individuals involved in the illegal trade. Under his leadership, the VRB was able to conduct 3,480 major operations, including routine inspections throughout the country which turned over P5 billion worth of goods seized, and conviction of 21 optical disc pirates, 2 videotape pirates and 5 large-scale distributors and retailers. This feat accorded him an international recognition by the Motion Picture Association in Hollywood, USA.

His illustrious years in public service while serving as part of the executive branch led to a high level of trust reposed in him by the people which catapulted him to the Senate in 2004. And after having proven his weight in gold, he was able to garner the most number of votes when he was re-elected as Senator of the Republic in 2010. Then just a neophyte lawmaker, Senator Bong Revilla headed two important committees during the 13th Congress - the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, and the Senate Committee on Public Works. Some of the landmark laws which Senator Bong Revilla authored orco-authored are: Mandatory Helmet Act, Open High School System Act, Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST)

Act, Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Child Pornography, Legitimation of Children Born to Parents Below Marrying Age, Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens, Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Photo and Video Voyeurism, Reducing the Rate of Amusement Tax, Philippine Disaster Risk Management Act of 2009, GOCC Governance Act of 2011, Night Work Prohibition of Women Employees, Release of Retirement Pay Within 30 Days After Retirement, Decriminalizing Vagrancy, Foster Care Act, Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2012, and Prohibition of Children Riding Motorcycles Act, among others. He was also instrumental in the passage of local bills which aided in infrastructure programs of local government units and helped usher development in their respective areas.

A genuine public servant that he has always been, he did not confine himself to his legislative duties inside the walls of the Senate. He continues to directly bring the government closer to its constituency by immediately responding to the needs of the Filipino people, especially during times of disaster. He is always first on the ground to provide assistance and aid to the calamity-stricken victims. His Bayanihan Response and Relief program is also recognized as a model in disaster response, as with his other social programs.

He is a man of perseverance and tenacity and destined to withstand even the greatest of tribulations. Despite all the political persecution he faced when his second term was about to end, he was elected back to the Senate in 2019. And at the present 19th Congress, he continues to pursue social justice, public order and security, improved teachers’   welfare,   travel   safety,  community   empowerment   and   infrastructure development. During the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress, he already filed 308 bills and 89 resolutions. Among his priority measures include: institutionalizing the grant of teaching supplies allowance for public school teachers; lowering the mandatory and optional retirement age of government employees; amending the Centenarians Act; expanding the coverage of Senior Citizens Act; increasing daily wage by P150; providing direct financial assistance to rice farmers; granting addition 15-day family and medical leave; free public housing program; accelerating health infrastructure development; and reviving the Philippine movie industry.

Because of his performance as a public servant, he was conferred doctorate degrees (honoris causa) in Public Administration by the Cavite State University and in Humanities by the Nueva Vizcaya University. His heart for the least, the last and the lost is the very key that led him closer to the people.

With his outstanding accomplishments and proven track record in public administration and legislation, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. consistently broke glass ceilings that have restricted showbiz personalities and caged them within the most mistaken notion that non-conventional elected personalities will not be good government leaders. His achievements in public service which benefited the entire nation are proof enough that with the genuine heart for public service, leaders can be created even out of the most unconventional molds. And Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. is a living testament that when the harmony between hard work and passion is met - the fruition of genuine public service and social justice will be harvested.