Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is set to file multiple cyberlibel cases against individuals for spreading false information about him during the 2025 election season, which he believes significantly affected his standing in the senatorial race.

In a press briefing on Monday, May 26, Atty. Raymond Fortun, the senator’s legal counsel, said that despite Revilla’s acquittal in 2018 and 2021 from plunder and graft charges related to the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), malicious posts resurfaced online falsely claiming that the Sandiganbayan had convicted him and ordered him to return ₱124.5 million.

“This is a vicious lie, with the clear and malevolent intent to damage Senator Revilla's good name and reputation,” Fortun said. “Senator Revilla has had no pending case in any court of law since his acquittal.”

According to Fortun, Revilla has decided to pursue legal action after consulting with his family. The senator aims to hold accountable those who weaponize digital platforms to spread disinformation under the guise of anonymity. He noted that names are still being vetted and will be submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for further identification, especially those hiding behind pseudonyms.

Fortun stressed that with the cooperation of platforms like Facebook and other online agencies, these individuals will be traced, and their real identities uncovered.

He also showed an example of one viral post falsely attributed to Revilla. The post spliced a real quote from the senator—expressing support for the death penalty for plunderers—with a fabricated statement: “Pero di ko pa rin isasauli ang ₱124 million. Manigas kayo (But I still won’t return the ₱124 million. Deal with it).”

“There is nothing in the Sandiganbayan decision requiring Senator Revilla to return any amount. And phrases like ‘manigas kayo’ paint an unfair and arrogant image of the senator, which is entirely untrue,” Fortun said.

“It is wrong when you make false or imaginary statements and make it appear that a person said them. That is not only unfair—it creates a dangerous precedent," he added.

Revilla, who ranked 14th in the 2025 senatorial elections, believes the fake news significantly contributed to his lower placement. He previously ranked 1st or 2nd in earlier elections and placed 11th in 2019, during the height of his legal battles.

“This year, despite having been cleared of all charges, fake news continued to circulate,” Fortun said, stating that the reach of these false claims is multiplied; it's easy to see how it could cost someone a million votes.

The senator’s legal team is preparing to file five to ten cyberlibel cases against social media users, vloggers, and website owners.

“We will select those most responsible for the spread of fake news. Within the week, materials will be sent to the NBI, and within one to two weeks, formal cases will be filed,” Fortun added.

When asked if the attacks appeared coordinated, Fortun clarified that the initial impression does not point to any organized movement, and denied any connection with the Duterte camp.

“At least based on our review of the profiles, it does not appear to be organized.”

However, Senator Revilla himself believes otherwise.

“Sa aking palagay, yes, orchestrated ito (In my opinion, yes, this is orchestrated),” Revilla said.

“Kung anong kulay, ayoko nang alamin siguro that's part of politics, kasama yan sa labanan ng eleksyon. Pero ang di maganda dito ay ang fake news. Hindi dapat palagpasin,” he added.

Revilla also stated that while he has grown accustomed to political attacks throughout his career, the deliberate effort to mislead the public through falsehoods is something he will no longer tolerate.

“This time, I will not allow it again,” he said.