Revilla Jr.'s surname is now Bong Revilla

So that he will be on top of the alphabetical list of senatorial candidates in the ballots, re-electionist Senator Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr. decided to change his surname to Bong Revilla. Revilla’s lawyer, George Erwin Garcia, said the Cavite Regional Trial Court Branch 19 had approved the use of Bong Revilla as a registered family name last October 19, 2009. “At least yung paggamit niya ng (his use of) Bong Revilla has the imprimatur of the court, it is perfectly legal," Garcia said, adding that even Revilla’s birth certificate has been corrected.

Revilla’s decision to change his surname prompted a certain Mary Emily Verr Peji to file a disqualification case against him with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last December. In her petition, Peji said Revilla, an actor, committed material representation in his certificate of candidacy by stating that his surname is Bong Revilla with the intent of putting his name on top of the list of senatorial candidates. The Comelec Second Division on Tuesday junked the petition. “No misrepresentation whatsoever has been committed by respondent as there was already a decision rendered by the trial court allowing him to use the surname 'Bong Revilla'," the resolution read. Garcia said Revilla (Jose Maria Bautista in real life) is fully aware of the downside of his surname change, especially to members of his family. “Siya naman ay fully aware ng legal implications (He is fully aware of the legal implications)," he said. Revilla is running under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD banner and a guest candidate under four other political parties. A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that Revilla is the top choice of voters among all the senatorial candidates running in the May 2010 elections. - KBK, GMANews.TV