FORMER senator and multiawarded actor Ramon Revilla Sr. died Friday afternoon at the age of 93, after years of battling age-related health problems since suffering a stroke 12 years ago.
Incumbent senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. confirmed his death in a short video posted on his Facebook account, where he was seen several meters away from his father’s deathbed. He wept and asked for prayers for his father.
Malacanang Palace, through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, issued this statement:
“The Palace expresses its deep condolences to the Revilla family for the loss of its patriarch, former Senator Ramon Revilla, at age 93.
“Former Senator Revilla, popularly known as Hari ng Agimat, was a pillar of the movie industry prior to his entry to politics. As an elected Senator, he was recognized as the Father of the Public Works Act for his authorship of Republic Act 8150, or the Public Works and Highways Infrastructure Program Act of 1995.
“We share the grief of the Revilla clan, and as tributes pour to honor the life and legacy of this respected movie icon and public servant, we pray that the Almighty grant Mr. Revilla eternal repose.”
Revilla, known in real life as Jose Acuña Bautista, was known as the father of he Public Works Act and in the Senate had chaired the public works committee.
But before his political foray, he was an action star, most associated with his use of the “agimat” (amulet) and his portrayal of his native Cavite’s popular figure “Nardong Putik.”
From acting in the 50s and 60s, he served a 7-year stint in government and returned to show business in the early seventies.
The FAMAS awarded him Best Actor in 1973 for “Hulihin Si Tiyagong Akyat”.
He would later become film producer as well.
Between 1992 and 2004, he served in the Senate, where he became known as the “Father of the Public Works Act” as he shepherded Republic Act 8150 (the Public Works and Highways Infrastructure Program) to approval.
Among other pieces of legislation he championed were the amendments to RA 6425 or the Dangerous Drugs Act; RA 8370 or the Children’s Media Act; and amendments to Presidential Decree No. 1866 (reduced penalties for illegal possession of firearms).
Senator Bong Revilla, himself an actor before entering politics, is the most high-profile among the late Cavite senator’s children, estimated at 72, among more than a dozen women.
Samuel Medenilla