‘Mr. Budots’? Reelectionist Revilla touts perfect attendance, inked laws

Sen. Bong Revilla files certificate of candidacy for reelection. INQUIRER.net/John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. said on Monday that despite being brushed off as “Mr. Budots,” his Senate performance shows he delivered his election promise.

Revilla made this remark as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for reelection at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

“Some dismissed us as Mr. Budots, and we are happy to say that because of our people’s trust, we delivered on our pact with the people,” Revilla said in his speech after filing his COC.

Revilla made no further remarks and declined to take questions from the media, unlike the other contenders who stepped onto the podium to answer their queries.

Budots is an electronic dance music genre popular among Visayan-speaking regions.  In a campaign ad in the 2019 elections, Revilla danced to the catchy beat of Budots.

Revilla noted that he had perfect attendance during his term while filing a total of 1,979 bills and resolutions, 339 of which had been enacted into law.

“’Yan po ang resulta ng pag-Budots natin sa Senado (That’s the result of our Budots dance in the Senate),” Revilla said.

“While we have accomplished so much, work never ceases, and there is still much to be done,” he added.

Revilla first served as senator from 2004 to 2016, before being reelected in 2019.

He faced a plunder charge stemming from allegations he pocketed money from his Priority Development Assistance Fund when he was still a senator. However, Sandiganbayan ordered the release of Revilla following the antigraft court’s acquittal of his plunder charges.

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