Lito Lapid facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lito Lapid
Lapid in 2024
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2019
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2016
Chair of the Senate Tourism Committee
In office May 20, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Preceded by	Nancy Binay
In office July 25, 2010 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Francis Pangilinan
Succeeded by	Nancy Binay
Chair of the Senate Games and Amusement Committee
In office July 22, 2019 – July 23, 2024
Preceded by	Panfilo Lacson
Succeeded by	Mark Villar
25th Governor of Pampanga
In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004
Vice Governor	Cielo Macapagal-Salgado Clayton Olalia Mikey Arroyo
Preceded by	Bren Guiao
Succeeded by	Mark Lapid
Vice Governor of Pampanga
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995
Governor	Bren Guiao
Preceded by	Cielo Macapagal-Salgado
Succeeded by	Cielo Macapagal-Salgado
Personal details
Born	Manuel Mercado Lapid (1955-10-25) October 25, 1955 (age 69) Porac, Pampanga, Philippines
Political party	NPC (1991–1998; 2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2012–2018) Lakas (1998–2012)
Spouse	Marissa Tadeo
Children	6, including Mark and Ysabel
Residences	Porac, Pampanga Angeles City, Pampanga Makati, Metro Manila
Occupation	Politician, actor
Signature

Manuel "Lito" Mercado Lapid (born October 25, 1955) is a famous Filipino actor and politician. He has served as a Senator since 2019, and he was also a Senator from 2004 to 2016. Before becoming a Senator, he started his political journey in Pampanga. He was the vice governor from 1992 to 1995 and then the governor from 1995 to 2004.

Early Life and Education

Lito Lapid was born in Porac, Pampanga, on October 25, 1955. He is one of nine children of Jose Songco Lapid and Eleuteria Mercado. He finished his elementary school at Porac Central School in 1968. He then completed his high school education at St. Catherine's Academy in Porac in 1972. After high school, he decided to pursue an acting career instead of going to college.

Acting Career

Lito Lapid began his career in the film industry as a stuntman. A stuntman is someone who performs dangerous actions in movies. He later became a well-known actor. He is related to other actors, being the nephew of Jess Lapid Sr. and cousin of Jess Lapid Jr.. He gained recognition in the movie world after starring in the film "The Jess Lapid Story."

Political Career

Serving Pampanga Province

In the 1992 election, Lito Lapid ran for vice governor of Pampanga. He was part of the Nationalist People's Coalition and won against the person who was already the vice governor, Cielo Macapagal-Salgado.

In 1995, he ran for governor of Pampanga and won. He was still with the same party. When he sought a second term in 1998, Lapid joined the Lakas-NUCD party. He ran for his third and final term as governor and won again in 2001.

He considered running for mayor of Angeles City in 2004. However, he changed his plans when he was encouraged to run for a higher position as a Senator.

Fertilizer Fund Case

In 2014, a government office called the Ombudsman looked into a case involving Lito Lapid. This case was about the purchase of fertilizers when he was governor of Pampanga. The Ombudsman said that the provincial government bought fertilizers that were too expensive without proper public bidding. This was part of a larger issue known as the Fertilizer Fund scam.

In 2015, Lapid was charged in court for this case. However, in 2016, the anti-graft court called Sandiganbayan dismissed the case. They said there was too much delay in the investigation. But in 2019, the Supreme Court reversed this dismissal, meaning the case could be looked at again.

Becoming a Senator

During the 2004 Senatorial elections, then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo suggested that Lapid run for Senator. He accepted and won the election, placing eleventh overall. During his first term as Senator, he ran for mayor of Makati in 2007 but did not win. So, he continued to serve as a Senator.

In May 2010, he was re-elected as Senator, again placing eleventh. He was part of the Lakas–CMD party but later became an independent Senator in 2012. He served until 2016. During this time, he was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism and Cooperatives. Since he could not run for Senator again right away, Lapid ran for mayor of Angeles City in 2016 but lost.

In 2019, Lapid sought to return to the Senate in the 2019 election. He won, placing seventh overall, starting his third term as Senator. He was re-elected as Senator in 2025 as part of the Administration Slate, Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas. He placed eleventh overall in that election.

Personal Life

House of Lito Lapid (Porac, Pampanga).

Lito Lapid is married to Marissa Tadeo. They have four children together, including Mark Lapid. Lito Lapid also has other children, including actress Ysabel Ortega.

Film and Television Roles

Lito Lapid has had a long career in movies and television. He is known for his action roles.

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Lito Lapid para niños