Lito Lapid

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Mercadoand the surname or paternal family name is Lapid.

Tagalog: [manˈwelˈlitoˈlapid] ; born October 25, 1955) ^[2] is a Filipino actor, director and politician serving as a Senator since 2019, and previously from 2004 to 2016. ^{[3] [4]} He started his political career in Pampanga, serving as vice governor from 1992 to 1995, and governor from 1995 to 2004.

Early life and education

Lapid was born in Porac, Pampanga on August 21, 1955. He is the fifth child out of nine children of Jose Songco Lapid and Eleuteria Mercado. He completed his elementary education at the Porac Central School in 1968 and secondary education at St. Catherine's Academy in Porac in 1972. He did not enroll for his tertiary education as he pursued acting. ^[3]

Acting career

Lapid entered the film industry as a stuntman, and became an actor. He is the nephew of Jess Lapid and the cousin of Jess Lapid Jr. ^[5] The movie "The Jess Lapid Story" got him noticed in the movie industry. ^{[3] [4]}

Political career

As provincial governor

In the 1992 general election he ran under the opposition block Nationalist People's Coalition as vice governor of Pampanga, and defeated the incumbent vice governor Cielo Macapagal-Salgado.

In 1995, he ran for governor of Pampanga under the same party against Governor Bren Guiao, who had the support of former President Corazon Aquino, and won. ^[6] When he sought a second term in 1998, Lapid joined the administration party Lakas-NUCD. After the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada in 2000 and the second EDSA Revolution the following year, he ran again for his final term and won.

He decided to run as mayor of Angeles City, in the 2004 elections but abandoned his plans when he was encouraged to run as a senator. ^[3]

In 2009, Lapid and his son Mark Lapid faced plunder charges for allegedly not remitting P500 million in quarrying fees while they were governor of Pampanga. ^[7] Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez cleared Lito and Mark Lapid of the plunder charges in 2011, in what has been described as a "midnight order" signed a month before Gutierrez's resignation. Gutierrez resigned in April 2011 amid allegations of protecting former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her political allies. ^[8]

Fertilizer fund scam

In 2014, the Ombudsman found Lapid liable for the purchase of P5 million in overpriced fertilizers, through funds allegedly diverted to the 2004 election campaign of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. ^[9] According to the Ombudsman, the Pampanga provincial government under Lapid bought 3,880 liters of overpriced fertilizer at P1,250 per liter without public bidding, violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Government Procurement Act, and the Revised Penal Code. The Fertilizer Fund scam case was the eighth graft case filed against Lapid before the Ombudsman. ^[9]

In 2015, Lapid was charged for graft over his alleged involvement in the 2004 Fertilizer Fund scam while he was governor of Pampanga. The case was dismissed in 2016 by the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court due to the "inordinate delay" in the investigation, ^{[10] [11] [12] [13]} but the Supreme Court reversed the dismissal in 2019. ^[14]

Senate

Lapid doing Sponsorship Speech at the Senate

During the 2004 Senatorial elections, then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo encouraged Lapid to run as a senator under the administration coalition K4. He accepted the offer and won the election where he placed eleventh. During his first term, he ran for mayor of Makati in 2007, but lost to incumbent Mayor Jejomar Binay; ^[15] thus, he kept his Senate seat.

In May 2010, he was re-elected as senator, placing 11th in the overall ranking. He ran under the Lakas–CMD but subsequently left the party in 2012 and served until 2016 as an independent. He was chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism and Cooperatives. As he was ineligible to seek another re-election to the Senate, Lapid ran for mayor of Angeles City in 2016, but lost to incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan Sr.. ^[16]

Lapid's office acknowledged that P5 million of his pork barrel was used in 2011 to purchase anti-dengue innoculants for Polillo, Quezon. The funds were allegedly misused as part of the pork barrel scam, since there were no reported cases of dengue fever in Polillo in 2011. ^[17]

Lapid sought for a comeback to the Senate in 2019 and won, placing 7th overall. He earned his third nonconsecutive term. ^{[18] [19]}

Lapid being proclaimed as a senator-elect on May 17, 2025

Lapid was re-elected as senator in 2025 and was a part of the Administration Slate, Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas. He placed 11th overall. ^[20]

Personal life

Lapid is married to Marissa Tadeo, with whom he has four children including Mark. ^[21] Lapid also has a child with former supermodel Melanie Marquez ^{[22] [23]} and another, actress Ysabel Ortega with former singer, Michelle Ortega. ^{[24] [25] [26]}

Lito Lapid
Official portrait, 2019
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2019

Year	Title	Role
1968	Leon Guerrero: Laban sa 7 Kilabot
1972	Geronimo
1973	Ang Alamat ni Leon Guerrero
1975	Nagmula sa Lupa	Totoy
1976	Mrs. Eva Fonda, 16
1976	Enter the Panther
1978	The Jess Lapid Story	Jess Lapid
1979	Bruce the Super Hero	Rocky Robledo
1979	Batang Salabusab
1979	Alas at Reyna
1979	Death Has No Mercy
1979	Lipulin... Masasamang Loob (Highway Patrol)
1979	Ang Sisiw Ay Isang Agila
1980	Ang Pagbabalik ni Leon Guerrero	Leon Guerrero
1980	Kastilyong Buhangin	Oscar
1980	Diego Sta. Cruz	Diego Sta. Cruz
1980	Yakapin Mo 'Ko, Lalaking Matapang
1980	Kalibre .45
1981	Viva Santiago	Aguinaldo
1981	Kamaong Asero
1981	San Basilio	Julio Valiente
1981	Tatlong Baraha	Leon Guerrero
1982	Isaac... Dugo ni Abraham	Isaac
1982	Ang Tapang para sa Lahat!
1982	Anak ng Tulisan
1982	Isla Sto. Nino
1982	Hanggang sa Wakas
1983	Pedro Tunasan	Pedro Tunasan
1983	Gamu-gamo sa Pugad Lawin	Alberto
1983	The Gunfighter	Tejan
1984	Barakuda
1984	Zigomar	Zigomar
1984	Lukas	Lukas
1984	Da Best in the Da West
1984	Alakdang Bato	Donato
1984	Angkan ng Siste Reales
1984	Mga Walang Daigdig
1984	Julian Vaquero	Julian Vaquero
1985	Abandonado
1985	Ben Tumbling: A People's Journal Story	Ben Tumbling
1985	Walang Katapat
1985	Hari ng Gatilyo
1985	Calapan Jailbreak
1985	Sa Bawat Hahakbangan, Babaha ng Dugo	Danilo Saberon
1986	Macho Gigolo	Manny Agbayani
1986	No Return, No Exchange	Abe
1986	Asong Gubat	Geron
1986	Kamagong	Manuel
1986	Desperado
1987	Maruso	Romeo Maruso
1987	Cabarlo	Fred Cabarlo
1987	Barbaro Santo	David Manabat / Elias dela Cruz
1988	Akyat Bahay Gang	Ricardo "Carding" Dacanay
1988	Ex-Army	Lt. Emil Matriano
1988	Sa Likod ng Kasalanan
1989	Tadtarin ng Bala si Madelo	Lt. Thomas Madelo
1989	Jones Bridge Massacre (Task Force Clabio)	Lt. Col. Aladdin Dimagmaliw
1989	Sgt. Melgar	Sgt. Rodolfo Melgar
1989	Hindi Palulupig	Romano Magtanggol
1990	Ibabaon Kita sa Lupa!	Joaquin Salazar
1990	Kahit Singko, Hindi Ko Babayaran ang Buhay Mo	David
1990	Karapatan Ko ang Pumatay! -Kapitan Guti	Capt. Guti
1990	Walang Piring ang Katarungan	Sgt. Fidel Ronquillo
1991	Lt. Jack Moreno: Medal of Valor – Habang Nasusugatan Lalong Tumatapang	Lt. Jack Moreno
1992	Dudurugin Kita ng Bala Ko	Reden Verdadero
1992	Lacson, Batas ng Navotas	Narsing Lacson
1993	Gascon, Bala ang Katapat Mo	Capt. Florencio Gascon
1993	Aguinaldo	Gov. Rodolfo Aguinaldo
1994	Geron Olivar	Geron Olivar
1994	Macario Durano	Macario Durano
1995	Ikaw Pa Eh, Love Kita	Sgt. Esteban Samonte
1995	Hanggang sa Huling Bala	David
1995	Sa Iyo ang Pampanga, Akin ang Bulacan
1995	Escobar: Walang Sasantuhin	Capt. Salvador Escobar
1996	Tolentino	Ramon Tolentino
1996	Hindi Lahat ng Ahas Ay nasa Gubat
1996	Tapatan ng Tapang	Paul
1996	Da Best in da West 2: Da Western Pulis Istori	Larry Lopez
1997	Tapang sa Tapang	Dante Parcon
1997	Kasangga Mo Ako Hanggang sa Huling Laban	Benjo Aragon
1998	Alamid: Ang Alamat	Alamid (Old)
1998	Lisensyado	Capt. Aladin Esguera
1999	Tatapatan Ko ang Lakas Mo	Rommel Cruz
1999	Ako'y Ibigin Mo... Lalaking Matapang	Leon
1999	Largado	Attorney Randy Reyes
2000	Fidel Jimenez: Magkasubukan Tayo	Capt. Fidel Jimenez
2000	Patigasan
2000	Pasasabugin Ko ang Mundo Mo
2000	Huwag Mong Ubusin ang Bait Ko!	Sgt. Rolando Serrano
2000	Eskort	Angelo
2001	Masikip Na ang Mundo Mo, Labrador	Capt. Ramon Labrador
2001	Bukas, Babaha ng Dugo	Felix Mercado
2001	Dugong Aso: Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang Kaaway	Barangay Chairman
2002	Lapu-Lapu	Lapu-Lapu
2006	Tatlong Baraha	Leon Guerrero
2017	Ang Panday	Apo
2018	Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles	Sgt. Domingo
2021	Mang Jose	Inkredibol Diego
2022	Apag	Alfredo Tuazon
TBA	Untitled Brillante Mendoza film [27] [28]

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref(s)
2013	Little Champ	Leon "Amang" del Torro	Main Role
2017–2019	FPJ's Ang Probinsyano	Romulo "Leon" Dumaguit	Main Role / Protagonist
2023–2025	FPJ's Batang Quiapo	Supremo "Primo" C. Medina	Main Role / Anti-Hero / Protagonist	[29]

References

1. "Lapid joins NPC; to run for Senate". SunStar Pampanga. SunStar Publishing Inc. October 4, 2018. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
2. "CANDIDATE'S PROFILE: Manuel Mercado Lapid". GMA News. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
3. "From Stuntman To Senator: Sen. Lito Lapid looks back at his beginnings". Philippine Star. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
4. "Lito a hero to his own kind". Philippine Star. Retrieved September 17, 2001.
5. Dolor, Danny (July 24, 2011). "Jess Lapid at his peak". Philippine Star. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
6. Dizon, Romy; PNA (May 10, 1995). "Cory 'magic touch' wanes in Pampanga". Manila Standard . San Fernando, Pampanga: Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 6. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
7. Cruz, Ailla Dela (October 21, 2024). "Fact check: Lito Lapid not disqualified from Senate race". Rappler. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
8. "Ex-Ombudsman let Lapids off plunder case before quitting her post". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 20, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
9. Orejas, Tonette (August 1, 2014). "Lapid found liable in fertilizer scam". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
10. "Graft charges vs Lapid, 5 others for overpriced fertilizer". Rappler. November 5, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
11. Ong, Czarina Nicole O. (December 28, 2017). "Sandiganbayan in 2016: High-profile cases resolved". Manila Bulletin News. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
12. Nonato, Vince F. (October 31, 2017). "Prosecutors appeal dismissal of graft case against Lapid". Inquirer. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
13. Bonquin, Carolyn (October 4, 2016). "Lito Lapid wins graft case due to Ombudsman's delay". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
14. Villamiel, Andrei (July 22, 2024). "Probe into cost of new Senate building is reminder of senators' problematic corruption record". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
15. "Binay thrashes Lito Lapid in Makati, awaits proclamation". GMA News Online. May 16, 2007. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
16. Sapnu, Ric (May 10, 2016). "Lapid loses by huge margin in Pampanga mayoralty race". The Philippine Star . Retrieved January 7, 2023.
17. Cinco, Maricar; Bernabe, Kirstin (July 26, 2013). "Lapid pork used in scam". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
18. Elemia, Camille (October 15, 2018). "Lito Lapid seeks Senate comeback in 2019". Rappler . Retrieved May 22, 2019.
19. Patinio, Ferdinand (May 22, 2019). "12 winning senators proclaimed". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved May 22, 2019.
20. "Comelec releases final senatorial ranking in the 2025 elections". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
21. "Melanie Accepts Kris' Apology; Diana Zubiri & Vhong Navarro Going Steady". Newsflash.org. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
22. "Meet Manuelito, the love child of Melanie Marquez and Lito Lapid". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
23. "Meet Melanie Marquez' gorgeous daughter, Michelle". ABS-CBN Corporation . August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
24. "Ysabel Ortega on dad Lito Lapid: "He's happy for me."". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
25. "Ysabel Ortega Speaks Up About Relationship With Father Lito Lapid". Philippine News. May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
26. "WATCH: Ysabel Ortega in tears over not seeing dad Lito Lapid". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
27. PEP Troika (January 31, 2024). "Bong Revilla, Robin Padilla, Lito Lapid, at Coco Martin magsasanib-puwersa sa pelikula" [Bong Revilla, Robin Padilla, Lito Lapid, and Coco Martin to join forces in a film]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
28. Llemit, Kathleen A. (February 2, 2024). "Coco Martin, Robin Padilla, Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid working on new film — report". Philstar.com . Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
29. "Coco Martin, Lovi Poe, Charo Santos to star in FPJ's 'Batang Quiapo'". Rappler. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.

External links

• Media related to Lito Lapid at Wikimedia Commons
• Lito Lapid at IMDb
• Senate of the Philippines - Lito Lapid
• Lito Lapid as governor of Pampanga at the Wayback Machine (archived September 29, 2007)