Bong Pineda | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rodolfo Quijano Pineda December 21, 1949 |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse | Lilia Garcia |
| Children | 3 |
Rodolfo "Bong" Quijano Pineda [1] (born December 21, 1949 [2] [3] ) is a Filipino businessman based in Pampanga. He is known for being the patriarch of a political family and for his influence in politics in the province.
Bong Pineda was raised on income his father Jose made from operating games of the Spanish card game monte. In 1969, Bong got involved in monte himself when he became a helper of Pampanga congressman who was a monte operator. He later became overseer of that politician's monte operations in Rizal, San Juan (Metro Manila), and Quezon City. [4]
Pineda has been associated with jueteng , a numbers games which is illegal in the Philippines. He allegedly struck a fortune from the game in 1986. [4] [5] [6] [7] He has denied allegations that he has been involved in jueteng. [1] [8] [9]
In 2016, Bong Pineda donated a 8 hectares (20 acres) lot where a new municipal hall complex for Lubao was constructed. [10] In 2019, Bong Pineda led the ground breaking ceremony for the Pradera Verde a development in Lubao which includes an amusement park and a motor racing track. [11] [12] He also led the construction of three Roman Catholic chapels in San Fernando. [13]
Belvedere Corp. is owned by Pineda. The company has a legal license to provide online cockfighting or e-sabong from the state-owned regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. [14] However in May 2022, the government ordered the shut-down of e-sabong nationwide with Bong Pineda's son Dennis implementing the directive in Pampanga where the younger Pineda serves as governor. [15]
Bong Pineda is the patriarch of a political family in Pampanga with the town of Lubao regarded as his hometown. While he has not held office himself, Pineda is regarded as a "kingmaker". [4] [16] [17] [18] His wife Lilia Garcia and son Dennis has been provincial governor. [18] His daughters Esmeralda Pineda and Mylyn Cayabyab has been Lubao mayor. Cayabyab has also been a Sangguniang Panlalawigan member. Cayabyab also ran for the position of San Fernando mayor in 2025. [19]
Aside from supporting his family member's careers. The Pineda patriach has also supported the electoral bid of other politicians in Pampanga. [16] He has claimed to helped the careers of Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Lapid family in Pampanga. [4]
He is reputed to avoid public appearances and the media. [11] [18] [19]
According to the President, her relations with the Pinedas merely concern the official functions of Lilia Pineda...
At the same time, the government filed three criminal cases each, including bribery, against eight suspected gambling lords and three of their alleged politician-protectors[....] Charged, following an inquiry by the National Bureau of Investigation, were Rodolfo 'Bong' Pineda...