| Lito Lapid | |
| Signature: | Lito-lapid-signature.svg |
| Office: | Senator of the Philippines |
| Term Start: | June 30, 2019 |
| Predecessor4: | Nancy Binay |
| Predecessor5: | Francis Pangilinan |
| Successor5: | Nancy Binay |
| Birth Date: | 25 October 1955 |
| Birth Place: | Porac, Pampanga, Philippines |
| Nationality: | Filipino |
| Party: | NPC (1992–1998; 2018–present)[1] |
| Otherparty: | Independent (2012–2018) Lakas–CMD (1998–2012) Lingap Lugud (local party; 2016) |
| Spouse: | Marissa Tadeo |
| Children: | 6, including Mark and Ysabel |
| Residence: | Porac, Pampanga Angeles City, Pampanga Makati, Metro Manila |
| Occupation: | Politician, actor |
| Birth Name: | Manuel Mercado Lapid |
| Termstart1: | June 30, 2004 |
| Termend1: | June 30, 2016 |
| Office2: | Chair of the Senate Cooperatives Committee |
| Termstart2: | September 10, 2025 |
| Predecessor2: | Imee Marcos |
| Termstart3: | August 4, 2025 |
| Termstart4: | May 20, 2024 |
| Predecessor3: | Imee Marcos |
| Termstart5: | July 25, 2010 |
| Termend5: | June 30, 2016 |
| Office6: | Chair of the Senate Games and Amusement Committee |
| Termstart6: | July 22, 2019 |
| Termend6: | July 23, 2024 |
| Predecessor6: | Panfilo Lacson |
| Successor6: | Mark Villar |
| Termend4: | June 30, 2025 |
| Successor4: | JV Ejercito |
| Successor7: | Mark Lapid |
| Predecessor7: | Bren Guiao |
| Termstart7: | June 30, 1995 |
| Termend7: | June 30, 2004 |
| Office7: | Governor of Pampanga |
| Office3: | Chair of the Senate Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement Committee |
| Office8: | Vice Governor of Pampanga |
| Termstart8: | June 30, 1992 |
| Predecessor8: | Cielo Macapagal-Salgado |
| Successor8: | Cielo Macapagal-Salgado |
| Termend8: | June 30, 1995 |
| Vicegovernor7: | Cielo Macapagal-Salgado (1995–1998) Clayton Olalia (1998–2001) Mikey Arroyo (2001–2004) |
| Governor8: | Bren Guiao |
| Order7: | 30th |
| Office4: | Chair of the Senate Tourism Committee |
Manuel "Lito" Mercado Lapid (pronounced as /tl/; 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.
Lapid was born in Porac, Pampanga on October 25, 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.
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.
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.
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]
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.
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]
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 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]
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]
| Office | Party | Votes received | Result | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | . | Swing | ||||||
| 1992 | Vice Governor of Pampanga | NPC | 1st | ||||||
| 1995 | Governor of Pampanga | 1st | |||||||
| 1998 | Lakas | 1st | |||||||
| 2001 | 501,238 | 92.22% | 1st | ||||||
| 2004 | Senator of the Philippines | 10,970,941 | 30.90% | 11th | |||||
| 2010 | 11,025,805 | 28.90% | 11th | -2.00 | |||||
| 2019 | NPC | 16,965,464 | 35.87% | 7th | +6.97 | ||||
| 2025 | 13,394,102 | 23.35% | 11th | -12.52 | |||||
| 2007 | Mayor of Makati | Lakas | 22,461 | 10.09% | 2nd | ||||
| 2016 | Mayor of Angeles City | Lingap Lugud | 45,710 | 33.83% | 2nd | ||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | Hindi Palulupig | Romano Magtanggol | |
| 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 | Sgt. Domingo | ||
| 2021 | Mang Jose | Inkredibol Diego | |
| 2022 | Apag | Alfredo Tuazon | |
| TBA | Untitled Brillante Mendoza film[27] [28] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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] |
