Bong Revilla to file complaint over online posts that allegedly caused his election defeat
Outgoing Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. is seeking legal action against those who allegedly published malicious social media posts about him that he believes compromised his win in the 2025 midterm elections.
Speaking to the media, Revilla's lawyer, Raymond Fortun, said that the politician will be filing cyber libel cases against "certain individuals" who supposedly caused him to lose the elections by spreading fake news about him.
"It is regrettable that his aspiration to continue to be of service to the country had been derailed due to the insidious work done by certain groups and individuals who had spread fake news on social media which, unfortunately, were accepted as gospel truth by the unsuspecting public," Fortun said.
He mentioned how Revilla was falsely charged before the Sandiganbayan for having misused his Priority Development Assistance Fund and was acquitted of these charges in 2018 and 2021. Certain individuals and groups during the elections "continued to vilify him by spreading fake posts that he had been convicted and ordered by the Sandiganbayan to return P124 million," the lawyer said.
"This is a vicious lie, with the clear and malevolent intent to damage Senator Revilla's good name and reputation. These evil-minded individuals and groups succeeded in their plan, but they will be made to answer for their misdeeds before the courts of law," Fortun continued.
He added that Revilla decided to take legal remedies against such posts to "discourage the use of anonymity or digital platforms to malign others without consequence."
While the names of the individuals cannot be disclosed yet, Revilla will be coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation to find out the legitimate identity of these people to face appropriate charges.
For now, Revilla is looking to file five to 10 cyber libel cases against social media users whom he "attributes to be the reason why he landed only 14th in the senatorial elections."
According to Fortun, the actor-turned-politician was "depressed" as he feels he was "deprived of the chance to continue to serve."
Revilla garnered a total of 11,980,023 votes in the May 12 elections, landing him just two spots short of the Magic 12. Those who won are Bong Go, Bam Aquino, Bato Dela Rosa, Erwin Tulfo, Kiko Pangilinan, Rodante Marcoleta, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, Lito Lapid, and Imee Marcos.
Revilla was first elected to the Senate in 2004 and successfully continued his term in 2010 and 2019.
