THIS is the 30th year of Senator Bong Revilla, Jr. in public service and his 52nd anniversary in show business. That is certainly a cause for celebration.

Senator Bong started in public service in 1995. He became a vice governor in Cavite. He started in legislative and rose to executive ranks. He was given the task to fight against drugs in Cavite.

He was recognized when he registered the biggest catch of more than P1 million worth of shabu at that time in Tagaytay. He was recognized at the International Narcotic Enforcement Agency in Albany, New York and he was awarded a Medal of Valor.

“Napatahimik natin ang Cavite,” Senator Bong beamed.

Then he became Governor of Cavite, said to be the murder capital of the Philippines. “We made it one of the most peaceful provinces in the country,” he beamed. “Kaya napatawag ako sa Malacañang and was recognized as one of the Outstanding Governors when it comes to Peace and Order.”

Then, he became VRB (Videogram Regulatory Board) chairman. “Hinawakan natin ‘yan and we were recognized by the Motion Pictures Association of America in trying to solve the piracy problem in the country.

“From 100 percent, we reduced the piracy problem to 5 percent. Nakilala tayo that was why we were pushed to run for senator in 2004.

“So we were eventually elected as senator and I was the No. 2 when it happened because of the support of Filipino people, my followers in showbiz who were always there to support me.”

In 2010, Senator Bong ran for his second term and he got the highest votes garnered to be the No. 1 in the rank. But life had a detour when he was accused of plunder and ended up in the slammer in 2014.

“Parang nasa loob ka ng tunnel na napaka-dilim at wala kang makita, akala mo katapusan na ng mundo,” Senator Bong recalled. “Ang dasal ko noon, ‘Lord, kayo na po ang bahala sa akin. Alam ko hindi niyo naman ako pababayaan dahil alam niyo po ang totoo’.”

He was in jail for nearly five years but was cleared and set free in 2019. He was acquitted of his plunder cases. He was re-elected as senator in 2019. He was No. 11 in the rank when he won anew.

“That became a challenge for me and all the more, I pushed to become better and proved that Bong Revilla is still working hard as a senator.”

Senator Bong recently revised the centenarian law and opted to award cash incentives to senior citizens as young as 80. He also adjusted the cash gift to those who are turning 100 to P1 million.

Senator Bong is overwhelmed at the reception of senior citizens during his motorcade. “Lolo at lola lumalapit sa akin to thank me for the benefits that they received and they were crying,” he shared. “Gusto lang nila akong mahawakan. Maraming salamat.

“I’m so happy that we were able to give importance to the lolo and lola sa paghihirap na ginawa nila para sa kanilang mga anak, para sa ating gobyerno, their contribution to our citizens.”

He also filed for senior citizens to be recognized as early as 56 years old. And optional early retirement at age 56. “They have the option to retire early,” Senator Bong informed.

Even with the teachers, Senator Bong didn’t overlook them with his “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” program. Teachers are now receiving a higher chalk allowance from P5,000 to P10,000.”

“The teachers in my motorcade also thanked me for getting bigger allowance,” Senator Bong said.

The students and parents also acknowledged him for sponsoring the “anti-law permit, no exam policy.”

“Students went home crying when they were not allowed to take the exam due to non-payment of tuition fee,” Senator Bong said. “We cannot let that happen again. That was what pushed me to file that law for the students.

“If that happens again, the school will meet a sanction or we can even let that school be temporarily closed if they didn’t follow,” Senator Bong said.

Moreover, Senator Bong also pushed for the lifetime validity of birth certificate and marriage certificate. “That’s why we filed that law. We will not let that happen again if those records will not be accepted.”

He is amenable to granting help or “ayuda” to less-fortunate citizens even now when it’s no longer pandemic.

“Huwag natin masamain ‘yan,” Senator Bong said. “We’re not saying that we are often giving help for people. Alam ko there are others who are saying, ‘You should give the people fish and not merely teach them how to fish to give them livelihood.

For the meantime, after the pandemic, sa mahal ng bilihin, kailangan pa rin ng tao ng suporta ng gobyerno. This is not vote-buying. Hindi mo na maloloko ang tao ngayon. Kailangan mong matulungan sila.

“Kailangan ipa-abot sa kanila at hindi lang matulungan. Hindi lang balat-kayo. Kailangan matlungan talaga ang mga kababayan na nanganga-ilangan ng tulong sa bawat lugar – Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao.

“Hindi tayo kailangan mag-away dahil sa pulitika or maghati. Ang pulitika na ‘to, ito ang nagpapagulo at lalong magpapahirap sa atin. I believe dapat panindigan natin ang bandila natin at hindi lang ang kulay. Manindigan tayo sa tama lang.”

Senator Bong recently met the entertainment media now that he’s campaigning anew for his re-election as senator.

“Si Bong Revilla, ang takbuhan palagi kayo,” Senator Bong told the entertainment press.

“Every time, bago mag-start ang laban ko, humaharap ako palagi sa inyo. ‘Yung sa ibang mga news, kaibigan din natin sila, pero mas malapit kayo kay Bong Revilla.

“Mga pagsubok na dumating sa akin noon, nagkaroon ako ng phobia sa media, pero kayo lang ang tinakbuhan ko. Kayo lang ang nakakapag-sabi ng totoong side ni Bong Revilla.

“Madami ang pinagdaanan ko sa buhay. Haharap na naman tayo sa panibagong pagsubok. Pagtakbo muli bilang senador.

“Sa lahat ng sinuong ng buhay ko, mayroon naman tayong maipagmamalaki na nagawa ni Bong Revilla para sa industriya at para sa bansa natin.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio