Veteran public servant and lawmaker Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. has filed his Certificate of Candidacy with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday (Oct. 7) to formalize his bid for reelection as senator in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. His family accompanied him inside the filing venue in Manila Hotel and his lawyer, daughter Inah Revilla. 

Revilla is once again running under Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the biggest political party in the country, which he currently chairs. He has been a party member since the inception of his political career, which spans almost 30 years. 

“Ngayong araw, pormal na nating sinelyuhan ang ating kandidatura sa pagka-senador sa darating na eleksyon 2025. Ang iyong lingkod, si Senador Bong Revilla, na sa loob ng tatlong termino bilang mambabatas sa Senado ay pinagkatiwalaan ng sambayanan, ay muling lalaban at titindig para patuloy na maging tagapagsulong ng kapakanan ng bawat isang ordinaryong Pilipino,” the long-time solon announced. 

Revilla is part of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos’ Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Senate Slate, which is composed of 12 senatorial candidates from various major political parties in the country, including Lakas-CMD. 

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at kay Lakas-CMD President Speaker Martin Romualdez sa tiwala na pinagkaloob nila sa akin upang maging isa sa mga kandidato na ilalaban ng Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas. It’s an honor to run under this slate whose great aspiration is to stand up for the welfare, interests, and rights of every Filipino,” he said. 

Revilla who has served three terms in the Senate (2004-2010; 2010-2016; 2019-present) was instrumental in the passage of many landmark laws that provide direct benefits to many Filipinos up until this day. Among these legislations are “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act” (RA 11997), Expanded Coverage of Centenarians Act (RA 11982), “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act” (RA 11984), “Free College Entrance Examinations Act” (RA 12006), Granting Night Shift Differential Pay to Government Employees (RA 11701), and “Permanent Validity of the Certificates of Live Birth, Death, and Marriage Act” (RA 11909). He is also the author of the law providing for the legitimation of children born outside of wedlock and the motorcycle helmet act, among many others. 

Revilla has recorded perfect attendance, and has filed a total of 1,979 bills and resolutions, of which 339 have been enacted into law. 

“Sa ating halos dalawang dekadang paninilbihan bilang senador, marami na po tayong naipasang mga batas na talagang pinakikinabangan ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi po natin sinayang ang tiwala ng sambayanang Pilipino. Sinigurado ko na bawat sentimo na pinapasahod sakin gamit ang buwis ng taumbayan, naibalik natin sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulong at pakikibaka sa pagpasa ng mga makakabuluhang batas,” Revilla said. 

Asked what he plans to push for his fourth term in the Senate, the veteran public servant responded that he vows to continue championing social justice, the welfare of workers, food security, public infrastructure, and benefits of government employees. 

“I am happy to say that because of the people’s trust, I was able to deliver my pact with the people. Ngayon, muli kong iniaalok ang aking kakayahan sa ating mga kababayan para patuloy silang paglingkuran,” Revilla remarked. 

“While we have accomplished so much, work never ceases and there is still much to be done. Kagaya ng pagtugon sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, paghahatid ng pagkain sa bawat hapag, mga programa para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, pabibigay solusyon sa baha, pagbubuo ng makabagong Philippine Building Code, pagsasaayos ng retirement system sa hudikatura, dagdag benepisyo para sa mga barangay workers, nurses, guro, at iba pa. Ayan ang ating mga isusulong kung tayo ay muling mabibigyan ng pagkakataon upang makapaglingkod para sa ating ikaapat na termino,” the solon explained. 

The upcoming midterm election is set to be conducted on May 12, 2025, when 12  senators will be elected.