Bong Revilla

Ramon Bautista Bong Revilla Jr. (Tagalog: [rɛˈbiljɐ]; born Jose Mari Mortel Bautista; September 25, 1966) is a Filipino former actor and politician who served as a senator from 2004 to 2016 and again from 2019 to 2025. 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 as the titular policeman Henry Cruz. 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 (now the Optical Media 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 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. 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. 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 were dismissed by Sandiganbayan on 2021; however, he has yet to return the required amount he was asked to give back before his acquittal. He successfully ran for a third term in the Senate in 2019 and sought a re-election in 2025 but lost. From January to July 2026, Revilla was detained over alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects. Revilla however was released on bail amounting to ₱1 million.