Manuel "Lito" Mercado Lapid
Manuel "Lito" Mercado Lapid was born on October 25, 1955, in Porac, Pampanga. Beginning his career as an actor in 1968, Lapid gained fame portraying iconic Filipino heroes and action stars in numerous films, most notably as 'Leon Guerrero.' His political career began in 1992 when he was elected Vice Governor of Pampanga. He later served as Governor of Pampanga for three consecutive terms from 1995 to 2004. Lapid first entered the Senate in 2004 and served two consecutive terms until 2016. After a brief hiatus, he was elected again in 2019 for his third term. Throughout his Senate career, Lapid has focused on practical legislation aimed at addressing everyday concerns of ordinary Filipinos, particularly in the areas of legal assistance for the poor, healthcare, education, and public services. Despite his limited formal education (completing only high school at St. Catherine's Academy in Pampanga), Lapid has consistently ranked among the most productive senators in terms of bills filed and laws passed. While continuing his acting career alongside his political one, he temporarily halted his role in 'FPJ's Batang Quiapo' in February 2025 to focus on his reelection campaign. For the 2025 elections, Lapid is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition and has been included in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for a New Philippines) slate.
Education
- High School Graduate, St. Catherine's Academy, Porac, Pampanga (1972)
Career Highlights
- Senator of the Philippines (2004-2016, 2019-Present)
- Governor of Pampanga (1995-2004)
- Vice Governor of Pampanga (1992-1995)
- Actor and Film Director (1968-Present)
- Ranked among top performing senators in terms of bills filed
- Principal author of the Free Legal Assistance Act of 2010
Key Platforms
Plain Language in Government
Advocates for the use of plain, understandable language in government communications, documents, and announcements to ensure that ordinary citizens can easily comprehend government information, policies, and services.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Proposes the establishment of a Department of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to better coordinate responses to natural calamities, improve disaster preparedness, and enhance climate change adaptation measures.
Water Resources Management
Supports the creation of a Department of Water Resources to establish a comprehensive framework for managing the country's water resources, addressing issues of access, quality, and sustainable use.
Social Media Accountability
Advocates for mandatory identity verification for social media users through the Online and Social Media Membership Accountability bill, aiming to reduce the spread of misinformation and hold users accountable for their online actions.
Support for Arts and Culture
Continues to champion the preservation of Filipino arts and culture through measures like the proposed Philippine National Film and Sound Archive and protections for workers in the movie and television industry through the Eddie Garcia Law.
Positions on Key Issues
| Issue | Position |
|---|---|
| Economy | Supports minimum wage increases balanced with employer considerations and tax exemptions for bonuses and benefits under ₱82,000. |
| Education | Advocates for increased educational access through scholarship programs and support for educational institutions. |
| Healthcare | Champions universal healthcare access through laws like Free Medical Assistance to the Poor Act and medical scholarship programs. |
| Environment | Pushes for greener infrastructure standards and improved disaster management systems to address climate change impacts. |
| Labor | Backs workers' rights through industry-specific protections like the Eddie Garcia Law for entertainment workers. |
| Agriculture | Promotes crop climate calendars and localized weather information systems to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns. |
| Governance | Advocates for transparency through plain language in government communications and enhanced legal assistance for the poor. |
| Foreign Policy | Supports strong defense of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, having co-authored the law establishing archipelagic sea lanes. |
| Charter Change | Has not taken a public stance on constitutional amendments. |
| Lgbtq Rights | Expressed opposition to the SOGIE Equality Bill in 2019, stating LGBTQ individuals do not face discrimination. |
| Drug War | Supports better reporting systems for drug overdose cases to improve data collection and response strategies. |
| Icc | Has not made public statements regarding the ICC's investigation into the Philippines' drug war. |
Sources & Citations
- Rolling Stone Philippines - '2025 Senatorial Primer: Lito Lapid', February 28, 2025
- VERA Files - 'Senate top performer Lito Lapid seeks to enter fourth term'
- Senate of the Philippines - 'Senator Manuel Lito M. Lapid' official biography
- Wikipedia - 'Lito Lapid'
- Philippine Star - 'Lito Lapid files candidacy for senator', October 2, 2024
- Philippine Star - 'Finally, a law from Senator Lito Lapid: Legal assistance'
- Rappler - 'Lito Lapid cites political experience in bid for fresh Senate term'
- Senate of the Philippines Legislative Reference Bureau - 'LAPID, MANUEL LITO M.'
- GMA News Online - 'LITO LAPID | Eleksyon 2025'
- Philippine News Agency - 'Lacson, Sotto, Lapid formalize senatorial bid for 2025 polls'
This profile is regularly updated with verified information from reliable sources. Last updated: April 24, 2025
