By Raïssa Robles
I was debating with myself whether to write about this. Sleep on it and wait for more developments, my hubby Alan who is my de facto editor, advised me.
And so I did. I’m glad I did.
Because Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. did a most unusual thing this Saturday. He agreed to be interviewed by phone on the TV gossip show Startalk.
Hours later, that very night, he staged what the Philippine Daily Inquirer described was “a hastily called press conference” where he asked the Department of Foreign Affairs “to exert legal and diplomatic efforts to bring Ramona back to the country and face our justice system.”
Now Saturday press conferences are unusual in the news business. A prominent personality calls for a weekend press con when he has an urgent thing to say. Or when he wants to downplay an important thing, knowing people are resting and won’t really bother to read it. Sundays are usually busy family days.
A weekend press conference could also indicate haste or panic.
Anyway, two things stuck out for me in Sen. Bong Revilla’s hastily called press con. First, he asked the DFA to look for his half-sister Ramona, tagged as an accomplice to the murder of her older brother Ramgen.
Second, the senator dismissed the postings made by Ramona’s mother, Genelyn Magsaysay, on the social networking site Facebook “as an attempt to distract investigators and muddle the ongoing probe,” Inquirer said.
Then Inquirer quoted Sen. Bong as simply saying, in answer to the question about Genelyn’s postings:
Let’s not change the topic.
Oh, but we simply can’t do that.
Genelyn’s postings on FB show the dynamics between Senator Bong – the legitimate first-born son of Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr – and the woman who bore Sen. Bong’s father nine children in 23 years. That would roughly be two children every two to three years. No easy task.
UPDATE:
My attention has been called by many commenters to this piece that Senator Bong’s mother, Azucena Mortel, is not the real or first wife or legitimate wife of Senator Ramon Revilla Sr.
Actually, I don’t know if this is really case. But I’m awaiting proof.
One commenter also pointed out that Sen. Bong Revilla is not the FIRST-BORN son, but the second son. The first, being Marlon Bautista. I’ve checked and the commenter is right.
My mistake on that one.
The handsome Senator Bong, who topped last year’s senatorial elections with 19.5 million votes, is clearly eying the vice-presidency or the presidency in 2016. He is the only other senator representing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Lakas-Kampi Party in the Senate. The other is Sen. Lito Lapid.
I promised myself that as a responsible journalist I have to help dig up facets of the lives of every politician seeking high office. We don’t want skeletons tumbling out of closets the way they did during Joseph Estrada’s presidency.
I did some calculations and was intrigued to find out that Genelyn and Sen. Bong are roughly the same age:
- Sen. Bong was born Sept. 25, 1966 and is three years older than Genelyn
- Genelyn was born Dec. 20, 1969
- Sen. Bong’s wife, Lani, was born April 13, 1968, which makes her a year older than Genelyn.
That would make Sen. Bong 45, his wife Lani 43, and Genelyn 42. But if you look at all three, you would think Genelyn is the oldest.
Sen. Bong reveals a family secret – and bares a double standard
When Sen. Bong revealed Saturday some family secrets, such as his father Revilla Sr. feeling disappointed by Genelyn’s eldest daughter Ramona because Ramona got married at age 19 to a Turkish national and therefore she should should not disappoint them a second time and quickly return home to face the murder charge, the senator’s statement is truly rich with irony.
Genelyn herself gave birth to her first-born Ramgen – her love child by Sen. Bong’s dad – when she was only 19 years old. That must have been a hushed-up scandal then, considering she was a daughter of former Senator Genaro Magsaysay.
Sen. Bong fathered his oldest son Leonard Bryan (born November 1986) when he was only 20 years old and his partner Lani was only 18 years old – even younger than when Ramona got married.
It’s quite interesting that both Revilla father and son expect a far different behavior from the women in the Revilla clan.
Sen. Bong’s eldest sister, Rowena, once told PEP that the girls in the clan were barred from dating boys:
Hindi ka puwede sa mga boys; sa pagdadamit lang, grabe, sobrang strikto. I got married at the age of 30 na, ayaw pa niya. My goodness! Ganun siya.
Rowena was referring to her horny dad who had fathered at least 72 children in 84 years.
He tried to protect his daughters from men like himself.
Sen. Bong has also revealed that Ramgen was his father’s favorite son. But he did not say how he really felt about THAT. If he had resented being replaced in his father’s affections or resented the fact that it was Genelyn’s son, and not his own son Leonard Bryan, who was lolo-dad’s favorite.
Genelyn’s place in the Revilla clan
Even if Revilla Sr. fathered 72 children by 16 different women, there was only one other woman in his life who was constantly by his side. And that woman was Genelyn. Genelyn seriously came into his life when she gave birth to Ramgen in 1988.
And apparently, Azucena, the real wife of Revilla Sr., welcomed the baby with open arms. She even allowed the baby Ramgen to be dropped off to the family compound to play with her grandchildren, even Sen. Bong Revilla confirmed.
When Azucena died in 1998, Genelyn became the loving companion of Ramon Sr. Through all the betrayals and liaisons that Ramon Sr.continued to commit, you could see in their photos that Genelyn truly loved him and Ramon Sr. doted on her.
She and their children were there for him.

Genelyn posted this photo on Facebook last Sept. 24-11 showing Ramon Sr. horsing around with three of their children

On Nov. 6, 2011, Genelyn changed her profile photo on FB to this, showing her nine children cuddling up to their father, Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr.
Genelyn Magsaysay’s status may have changed under Philippine law
Now, this is what’s intriguing.
When Azucena died in 1998, Genelyn’s legal status MAY have changed under Philippine law. She was no longer The Other Woman. She MAY have become The Companion of the former Senator Revilla, who by then became a widower.
The 1987 Family Code recognizes the right of The Companion to inherit, provided certain conditions are met under this provision:
Chapter 7. Property Regime of Unions Without Marriage
Art. 147. When a man and a woman who are capacitated to marry each other, live exclusively with each other as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage or under a void marriage, their wages and salaries shall be owned by them in equal shares and the property acquired by both of them through their work or industry shall be governed by the rules on co-ownership.
In the absence of proof to the contrary, properties acquired while they lived together shall be presumed to have been obtained by their joint efforts, work or industry, and shall be owned by them in equal shares. For purposes of this Article, a party who did not participate in the acquisition by the other party of any property shall be deemed to have contributed jointly in the acquisition thereof if the former’s efforts consisted in the care and maintenance of the family and of the household.
Neither party can encumber or dispose by acts inter vivos of his or her share in the property acquired during cohabitation and owned in common, without the consent of the other, until after the termination of their cohabitation.
When only one of the parties to a void marriage is in good faith, the share of the party in bad faith in the co-ownership shall be forfeited in favor of their common children. In case of default of or waiver by any or all of the common children or their descendants, each vacant share shall belong to the respective surviving descendants. In the absence of descendants, such share shall belong to the innocent party. In all cases, the forfeiture shall take place upon termination of the cohabitation. (144a)
Art. 148. In cases of cohabitation not falling under the preceding Article, only the properties acquired by both of the parties through their actual joint contribution of money, property, or industry shall be owned by them in common in proportion to their respective contributions. In the absence of proof to the contrary, their contributions and corresponding shares are presumed to be equal. The same rule and presumption shall apply to joint deposits of money and evidences of credit.
Unfortunately, the arrangement was apparently disrupted after 10 years.
On Sept. 30, 2008 – or five days after Sen. Bong’s 42nd birthday – the delicate balance of love, harmony and perhaps resentment in the Revilla clan was terribly upset. Ramon Sr. suffered a serious stroke from which he has never fully recovered.
It is in this context that we can now examine Genelyn’s Facebook account, which functions more like her online wailing diary.
It shows The Anguish of The Other Woman/Companion whose man is dying, but who still has so many years of life before her and so many children to feed.
Last Saturday, Sen. Bong dismissed Genelyn’s FB postings as mere ravings, meant to distract investigators from the murder.
That’s how he looks at it.
Genelyn’s Facebook is her online diary
I think her FB postings may actually place the murder in context.
You see, the way Facebook works, every post is time-stamped. You can erase previous postings. But you cannot go back to a previous posting and change the time-stamp. And so you can trust that if Genelyn posted something earlier than the Oct. 28 murder of her son, the time stamp for that post is accurate.
Genelyn also placed her Facebook filter to “Public” – meaning, any Facebook member can access it. Because of this, I believe I am not violating her right to privacy. Even after some of her FB posts came out in the media, she has not turned her filter to “Private”.
Which means, she wants the whole world to know her pain.
I am not siding with her. I’m merely pointing out a possible avenue of police investigation into the death of Ramgen. If his siblings quarreled with him over money, what really brought this on?
The police claim Ramgen’s murder was prompted by the siblings’ squabble over the “allowance” they had been getting from Daddy Ramon.
Genelyn’s FB postings showed that months before the murder, the allowance being doled out to her and her children had been slowly shrinking.
What has received much media attention is Genelyn’s FB posting last October 21 – just a week before her son was killed. She wrote then:

Genelyn's post on Facebook of Oct. 21-11 is addressed to someone who intends to run for the presidency
It seems to be a dig at Sen. Bong Revilla.
Seriously, under the Constitution, Sen. Bong is well qualified to run for president. And he IS his father’s political heir in every way.
What could have prompted Genelyn’s rant?
Earlier postings show that in October 9, Genelyn was having money problems because their “allowance” from Ramon Sr. had been “cut.”
Previous postings also talk about her depression and money problems:
Genelyn’s circumstances apparently changed earlier this year
Last July 31, Genelyn hinted on FB that someone was breaking up with her:
And posted the song below by James Ingram –
Minutes later, Genelyn posted again, saying
With this song by David Gates –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cPts5GE-aNQ
Minutes later, she posted yet another song saying –
Over a week later, her mood had not changed. She posted two songs – “It’s over now”
And – she wrote “ASA TO THE MAX” along with the song – What if, babyface
But on Aug 19, 2011, Genelyn unveiled a more defiant mood in her post below:
But then her mood dropped again. On Sept 16, she wrote:
However, on Oct 14 – two weeks before the murder – Genelyn wrote this curious post with an accompanying picture of her and Ramon Sr. She said they were “consecrated” together in Church.
Is that the equivalent of a Catholic marriage? Or was Genelyn spinning a fantasy for herself?
I don’t know. But if that was a marriage, then Genelyn gets half her husband’s fortune.
Even if untrue, the Family Code of 1987 MAY still protect her and her children, as I mentioned earlier.
Genelyn uses Facebook to bare her side on the Family Feud
Genelyn and Sen. Bong Revilla are NOT friends on Facebook. This would tell you a lot about their relationship.
From her FB postings and those of her other children, you will get the impression that the children are convinced to this day that someone else is framing Ramona and Ramon Joseph for Ramgen’s murder.
For instance, her son Rueben posted:
Genelyn’s son-in-law called police investigators “stupid” –
If true, who could it be?
If not, how could Genelyn bear the thought of two children killing their own brother?
In this unfolding saga of the Revilla clan, what role will Sen. Bong Revilla end up playing?
Andoy51 says
Pinapasok ng dalawang kapatid ni Ramgen ang mga suspected killers. Bakit? Marahil nagpakilala sila na pinapunta ng taong kilala ng mga dalawa, like an influential member of the dysfunctional Revilla/Bautista clan.
Isang bagay ang malinaw dito: si Genelyn na galing sa mabuting Magsaysay family ay biktima ng isang taong buktot at ganid sa laman. She was a minor when Ramon Sr. seduced and led her to the life of a querida. Sana kumalas na lang siya, pero nasadlak na masamang buhay dahil sa dami ng mga anak.
Tanong paano sinuportahan ni Ramon Sr. ang kanyang maraming anak? Ayon sa mga taga Imus, Cavite, hindi lang marahil 72 ang mga anak ni Ramon Sr. Mula sa kita niya as an actor and producer? Maybe. What about when he became a long-time senator and later head of Philippine Estate Authority, a government corporation? We know how little a senator legally earns.
Isa pang tanong: matapos mabalda si Ramon Sr. from a massive heart attack, paano niya sinustentuhan ang kanyang maraming anak at pamilya? Through somebody like Bong (Ramon Jr), who by this time has become a senator? Ano ang koneksiyon ng plunder cases ni Revilla sa bagay ng sustento on behalf of his crippled father?
Could Ramona and other siblings have plotted the killing of their own brother Ramgen? Quite possible but improbable, given the mess and dysfunction that has befallen the family. But could somebody very powerful who wanted to “put the Genelyn branch of the extented Bautista/Revilla family” have done. Quite possible and probable.
This chapter of the Revilla clan drama continues to unfold. Thank you, Raissa, for your guts to take up this issue. It sure takes guts and determination to do that.
everyone782 says
according to the last hearing, I seem to have a hard time fathoming why Ruel Puzon only received Php 15,000 out of the Php 500,000 promised reward? where he should have received atleast Php 100,000, Is the other Php 485,000 just a scam? When you analyze everything carefully, this case seem to benefit Sen. Bong Revilla and his family the most. Since Ramgen is gone, Mara is in turkey, 2 of the oldest siblings cannot fight for their family.
with Ramgen gone, Jolo, who is the 2nd son of Bong, does not have any rivals in running for councilor. Also, a few years back, in a newspaper article, when Ramgen starred in the movie, “Anak ka ng tatay mo”
The media, asked Ramon Jolo, on what he has to say about Ramgens movie, he said, May movie nga siya, May sitcom naman ako. It clearly shows the Bong’s side of the family are jealous to the bautista-magsaysay family. Also, i have yet to confirm this, When genelyn was in baguio, It was bong revilla, who led a team of soco inside the house of Genelyn without notifying her first? i mean, permission was not necessary but, shouldn’t she be notified first on what was happening?
I believe that the media has shown the photocopy of the checks received by genelyn for their allowance, how did the photocopies fall in the media’s hands? the bank couldnt have released it, did Bong and his sibling release it? since, Ramon Revilla Sr. is currently incapable of handling their allowance, due to his stroke.
the mystery remains, the end of the saga of the magsaysay bautista family is nigh.
raissa says
Do keep us updated on this.
Thanks.
macspeed says
Who was powerful in Cavite during that time? Poor Genelyn has the extremist punishment of all her time, 9 children were not enough, the true to life drama of children subjected to this FRAMED crime??? But God is not sleeping…see the woes now in Sen Bong Revilla’s life…he is paying but will not be forgiven….big sins compounded by big sins, tsk tsk tsk….God is not sleeping, it may not be an eye for an eye for equivalent punishment are there to stay till his last breath….
myreal says
I don’t know what happened to me this moment…but I accidentally noticed the title of this blog and got interested. I read and…the thoughts I have during the peak days of this case came to me again.
It was when I happened to read the text messages of the two suspects reported to have been in the hands of the police.
Nabasa ko noon, na isang text ng isang suspek sa kapwa niya suspek na, nagsasabi na ipinalabas na ang reward money na ang tinutukoy ang reward money na ibibigay no Senator Bong at ng brother niya sa makatulong sa ikakadakip ng mga salarin.
kung makakuha sanang muli ng mga kopya ng mga text masssages na iyon at muli maanalyze natin…kasi parang ang labas sa akin ng mga messages noon ay “parang si Senator Bong ang may utos sa kanila…at ang reward na half million ay parang palabas lang!
Sana mali ito…at sana makakuha ulit tayo ng copies ng mga text messages sa mga cellphones ng mga suspectcs na iyon.
Hindi natin kailangan magjudge kaagad…kung ako si Ramona na kaagad pinagbintangan na killer ng sarili kong kapatid talagang lalayas ako just like Senator Lacson!
Kayo honestly if you have the chance like that of Ramona…sa situation you are facing …hindi ka tatakbo?
Hypocrites!!!
raissa says
That’s true.
There was a text like that then.
amante_rador says
hi ms raissa,
matagal na itong post, pero bago pa sa akin kasi ngayon ko lang nabasa.
the ages comparison you did is already a good hint of a long-boiling relationship among the kins.
and of course, amongst beneficiaries of the old’s fortune.
ayaw kong mag-speculate, pero something is unfolding in my mind upon reading this.
hmmm…
raissa says
ano?
amante_rador says
na may alam si senator dito…hope am wrong…
Rolly says
@amante_rador
Sa tingin, parang meron nga.
Para ding may relasyon (intimately) si Bong at Genelyn…para pa ngang may (mga) anak silang dalawa.
Charles says
Only the rich can escape like that to another country, so don’t fool yourself that everyone else would do that. Not everyone gets millions for allowances. The crimes of the rich are truly deplorable.
macspeed says
Those who did bad things in life will be punish while they are still on earth….later will be burned in Hell. Allah has records of ALL sins even if it is only an atoms weight:
From Al Qur-an Al Kareem: SURA 99. AZ-ZALZALA (THE EARTHQUAKE)
1. When Earth is shaken with her [final] earthquake
2. And Earth yieldeth up her burdens,
3. And man saith: What aileth her?
4. That day she will relate her chronicles,
5. Because thy Lord inspireth her.
6. That day mankind will issue forth in scattered groups to be shown their
deeds.
7. And whoso doeth good an atom’s weight will see it then,
8. And whoso doeth ill an atom’s weight will see it then.
Kaya nga ditto pa lang sa lupa, nagdurusa na ang mga super ganid, mga hayup sila, akala nila walang Diyos???
nelson ongpauco says
diba sabi ni ramona sya ang nagpapasok sa taong bumaril kay ramgen sinamahan pa niya sa kuarto.na sabi ni janel ay nakatakip ang mukha bakit pinapasok ni ramona kung nakatakip ang mukha .dahil ng pumasok sa bahay ay walng takip ang mukha at alam niyang dadating oto parapatayin ang kapatid niya .bakit hindi sya tumawag ng pulis pero tinawagan niya ang isang kapatid niya…..miba tayo dahil nabasa ko ang fb ni gennilyn puro bangit nya sa god …diba sabi sa 10 commantment bawal makiapid sa asawa ng may asawa …yung pagsusugal mo niya at pag dadrug sabi ba ng god yon ……ay naku!!!!
Charles says
Hahaha! You raised good points. I find it interesting that criminals usually claim their innocence to God knowing that the Philippines is a predominantly Christian country. They do it for PR purposes. In the end though they have to prove their innocence to the Republic of the Philippines.
amante_rador says
@charles,
para bang si tj? lol
macspeed says
masama yan, scandal mongerer ka, heto sabi sa Al Qur-an Al Kareem para sa mga tsismoso:
SURA 104. AL-HUMAZA (THE TRADUCER, THE
GOSSIPMONGER)
1. Woe unto every slandering traducer,
2. Who hath gathered wealth [of this world] and arranged it.
3. He thinketh that his wealth will render him immortal.
4. Nay, but verily he will be flung to the Consuming One.
5. Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Consuming One is!
6. [It is] the fire of Allah, kindled,
7. Which leapeth up over the hearts [of men].
8. Lo! it is closed in on them
9. In outstretched columns.
he he he kahit na tutuo o hindi bawal maging tsismoso…
Charles says
ALL this information is just quagmire to the fact that SOMEBODY died and SOMEBODY was responsible. And as for Genelyn, maybe she should not have just relied solely on handouts from what you called a “horny dad” (poor choice of words if you ask me, try “amorous” next time). How about Genelyn get a job, how about doing business, how about her kids who are older than 18 contribute to the financial troubles of the family? Really, these are just leeches doing what comes naturally, taking blood from others to survive.
Win says
Just came across this and its like reading a real life mystery, if I connect the dots with my limited understanding, the usual suspects might not be that usual anymore. Jealousy, greed, parricide. Insighful read.