Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. plans to take legal action against individuals he accuses of spreading damaging misinformation online, which he believes cost him a Senate seat in the recent midterm elections.
Revilla announced on Monday that he is preparing cyberlibel complaints against five to ten people allegedly behind social media posts that falsely portrayed him as corrupt and unremorseful.
“Kailangan siguro mag-file talaga ng case against those people na dapat managot dito. Dahil hindi naman natin pupuwedeng lokohin ang taongbayan,” the senator stated in an ABS-CBN News report.
According to his lawyer, Atty. Raymond Fortun, their team is working closely with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to identify bloggers and social media users—especially anonymous ones—who allegedly circulated fake claims about the senator.
Fortun said they have collected evidence, including screenshots and online materials, which are now under review. Complaints are expected to be filed in two weeks, but not all individuals involved may face charges immediately.
“Once it is vetted, we will choose kung sino yung the ones who deserve really to be charged and who should be made responsible for this,” he explained.
One viral post in question falsely claimed Revilla said, “‘Di ko pa rin isasauli ang 124 million. Manigas kayo!”—a statement linked to the 2018 pork barrel scam where Revilla was accused of graft.
Fortun emphasized that the Sandiganbayan had cleared Revilla of all charges, and no court ruling ever ordered him to return any amount to the government.
“Notwithstanding such acquittals, certain individuals and groups during the run up to the 2025 elections continue to vilify him by spreading fake posts… This is a vicious lie, with the clear and malevolent intent to damage Senator Revilla’s good name and reputation,” Fortun said.
He argued that the online attacks played a significant role in Revilla’s loss in the 2025 elections, where he landed 14th—just two spots short of reclaiming a Senate seat.
“In his previous terms, Senator Bong ranked first or second. Now, despite having been cleared of any wrongdoing, he still suffered due to the persistence of fake news,” Fortun added.
While Revilla suspects the attacks were orchestrated, he refrained from naming anyone, saying, “Mahirap kasi mag-speculate, ayokong magbintang.”
He stressed that those behind the defamatory posts should be held accountable: “Kung sila man yung gumawa niyan at nagpakalat ng fake news, dapat managot sila.”
As for his political future, Revilla said he has yet to decide on running in 2028, noting that he will first focus on the legal battle ahead and consult his family before making any decision.
