Bryan Revilla has been tapped to run as the first nominee of Agimat Partylist in the 2022 national elections.
The former actor and director said that he has been preparing to enter politics for the longest time.
“I guess it was inevitable. I knew this would happen eventually. I’ve been preparing for this for the longest time. It’s something that I've always been exposed to. It’s just a question of when. I knew it was already in my heart, but I was just waiting for the right time,” said Bryan, during a live press conference with the entertainment press at Super Sam Restaurant in Quezon City last April 5.
When asked about the best political advice he has received from his parents, Bryan said: "Just do the right thing. Alam naman natin ang tama at mali. No matter how hard it is, just do the right thing. Do what's right for the people."
If elected, Bryan said that the Agimat Partylist will push for workers, health, and economic agenda.
"Noon pa man ay tumutulong na sa mga nangangailangan, sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo at sakuna ang Agimat ng Masa, sa pangunguna ng aking lolo, Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. Then it was in 2011 na naging formal social organization ang Agimat ng Masa. My father Senator Bong Revilla and our family continued this civic duty. Itinuloy namin ang adbokasiya ng poverty alleviation at livelihood para sa ating mga kababayan," Bryan said.
"Hanggang nagkaroon ng pandemic, doon namin higit na naramdaman na may mas malaki pa kaming puwedeng gawin. But how? Naglunsad kami ng mga grassroot consultations sa aming constituents. There, we decided to expand the help that we are rendering to our countrymen who are in need. Grabe, siguro hindi lang organization namin ang nakarealize na marami taying kailangang paunlarin. We sre all given the challenge to mature more and upgrade for our people. Kailangan din sa institutional level gawin pangtulong at pagkalinga na ito," he added.
Bryan said: "Hindi ko rin kalilimutan ang mga manggagawa at artista natin sa arts, entertainment at film industry na nawalan ng hanapbuhay sa panahon ng pandemya at krisis. Malapit sa puso ko ito. Kailangan may batas na kumakalingasa mga manggagawa natin sa larangan ng kultura, sining at arte kapag panahon ng krisis at pandemya."
The Agimat Partylist vows to be the voice of the youth, he said.
"At siyempre po, magiging boses rin tayo ng mga kabataan, hindi nakaligtas ang edukasyon sa panahon ng pandemya. Maraming hindi nakapag-aral. We are going to forward an enhancement of free and accessible education for all. Hindi lang siguro tuition, pati kagamitan na kailangan nila. There, we build our hope - to the youth."
Bryan, 35, grew up in a political family. His grandfather, the late action star, Ramon Revilla, served the Senate for 12 years. His father, Ramon Jr. or Bong likewise an action star, has been in politics 26 years and has been a senator since 2004. His mother, former actress Lani Mercado is mayor of Bacoor, Cavite.
A graduate of Consular and Diplomatic Affairs in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Bryan says that more than the family’s political tradition, he believes that politics is his calling. He has been working in Bacoor’s rehabilitation program for drug surrenderees.
“We want to help these people to stay away from drub abuse and crime and show them that we are capable of doing great things as long as we work together and trust the Lord,” says Bryan.
To prepare for his platform, the political aspirant conducted consultations and caucuses. “What struck me profoundly were their persistent concerns on employment, livelihood and social services. My family and I have helped in our own capacity. When elected, I will surely address these concerns immediately on a nationwide scale and solve these in an institutional level."
For his motto, he quotes his late grandfather as saying, “It is not enough that the Filipino people should be served, but they should be served well.”