Danilo Ramon Subiaga Fernandez[3] (born January 14, 1966) is a Filipino politician, actor, and optometrist who is currently serving as the representative of the Lone District of Santa Rosa, Laguna at the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 2022. He previously represented the 1st District of Laguna from 2007 to 2016 and again from 2019 to 2022; he also concurrently served as a Deputy Speaker from 2019 to 2020.[4] Prior to his election in the Congress, he served as a board member of Laguna from 1998 to 2001, Vice Governor of Laguna from 2001 to 2004, and Mayor of Santa Rosa from 2016 to 2019. He also ran for governor in 2004 but lost to incumbent Governor Teresita Lazaro.
Danilo Ramon S. Fernandez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines | |
| In office July 22, 2019 – November 18, 2020 | |
| House Speaker | Alan Peter Cayetano Lord Allan Velasco |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Santa Rosa's Lone District | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | District established |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Laguna's 1st District | |
| In office June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Arlene Arcillas |
| Succeeded by | Ann Matibag |
| In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Uliran Joaquin |
| Succeeded by | Arlene Arcillas |
| Mayor of Santa Rosa, Laguna | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2019 | |
| Vice Mayor | Arnold B. Arcillas |
| Preceded by | Arlene Arcillas |
| Succeeded by | Arlene Arcillas |
| Vice Governor of Laguna | |
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2004 | |
| Governor | Teresita Lazaro |
| Preceded by | Gat-Ala Alatiit |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Olivarez |
| Member of the Laguna Provincial Board from the 4th District | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2001 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Danilo Ramon Subiaga Fernandez January 14, 1966 Pagsanjan, Laguna, Philippines |
| Political party | NUP (2020–present)[1] |
| Other political affiliations | PDP–Laban (2018–2020) Liberal (2009–2018) Lakas-CMD (2006–2009) PDSP (2004) |
| Spouse | Sheila Ysrael |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Santa Rosa, Laguna |
| Alma mater | Centro Escolar University (OD) |
| Occupation | Politician, Actor |
| Profession | Optometrist[2] |
Early life and education
editDanilo Ramon Fernandez was born January 14, 1966. He was the youngest of the four children of Edilberto Fernandez Sr., who served as a councilor of Pagsanjan, and Teresita Fernandez.[2] He is related to Estanislao Fernandez, his paternal grandfather's first cousin who served as a lawmaker from Laguna, senator, and Supreme Court associate justice.[5]
He completed his elementary education at Francisco Benitez Memorial School in Pagsanjan, where he earned an honorable mention. He completed his secondary education at Pagsanjan Academy as a valedictorian. He was granted a college scholarship at the Centro Escolar University in Manila, where he completed doctor of optometry. He passed the optometry licensure examination in 1986. He then took up law at University of Santo Tomas but later dropped out to pursue an acting career.[5]
Career
editActing career
editDan Fernandez entered show business when he accepted an offer to become an actor in 1986, while he was working out at YMCA of Manila during his law school days. He was known for acting in Mara Clara: The Movie (1996), Balawis (1996), Cobra (1997), Boy Tapang (1999), Upak Gang (2015), and Honor Thy Father (2015).[5][6]
Political career
editHouse of Representatives (2007-2016)
editAfter losing the 2004 gubernatorial elections, Fernandez decided to return to politics by running for representative of the first district of Laguna in 2007. He won the elections defeating Atty. Nereo Joaquin Jr., the son of former Representatives Nereo and Uliran Joaquin. On November 20, 2009, his election was annulled by the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal for failing to complete the two-year residency requirement prior to filing his 2007 candidacy but it was reversed by the Supreme Court on January 4, 2010.[7][8][9]
Fernandez ran for re-election in 2010 and won defeating his predecessor, Uliran Joaquin. He was once again re-elected in 2013.
As a member of the House of Representatives, Fernandez sponsored and authored 19 House measures. He also co-authored 13 House Bills and Resolutions.
Fernandez served on numerous committees as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives:
- Ecology
- Dangerous Drugs
- Justice
- Labor and Employment
- Public Information
- Public Order and Safety
- Southern Tagalog Development
- Trade and Industry
- Transportation
Mayor of Santa Rosa (2016-2019)
editFernandez ran for Mayor of Santa Rosa City in 2016. He won the elections, defeating two opponents and effectively switching places with Arlene Arcillas. However, in 2019, he decided not to seek re-election to seek a comeback to the Congress instead.
House of Representatives (2019-present)
editFernandez was elected to his fourth term as Representative of the 1st District of Laguna, without having any opponents in 2019. He switched places with Arlene Arcillas once again. He was then named as one of the Deputy Speakers under the new Speakership of Alan Peter Cayetano.[10] He is one of the 70 congressmen who voted against the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise. His vote of denial to his former home network's hopes of renewing its legislative franchise sparked controversy from both the entertainment industry and the social media, branding him as a "traitor".
Fernandez was removed as the Deputy Speaker on November 18, 2020.[11] In January 2021, Fernandez is announced to be part of the new bloc "BTS sa Kongreso" (named after the K-pop boy band group BTS of South Korea), a coalition group formed by Alan Peter Cayetano during the 18th Congress.[12]
Fernandez sought re-election in 2022, this time for the newly established lone district of Santa Rosa. He was elected,[13] making him the first representative of the new district. In the 19th Congress, he was named as the chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.[14] He also chaired the Quad Committee, alongside Benny Abante (Manila–6th), which investigates the alleged extrajudicial killings during the drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte, until both resigned as chairmen in November 2024 after former Mandaluyong City Police Chief Hector Grijaldo accused them of pressuring him to admit the existence of the drug war reward system.[15]
Fernandez chose not to run for re-election to run for governor of Laguna again in 2025.[16]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Note(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Gapos Gang | |||
| Babayaran Mo ng Dugo | Nelson's friend | |||
| 1990 | Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka | Ding | ||
| Mana sa Ina | ||||
| Machete: Istatwang Buhay | ||||
| Hindi Laruan ang Puso | ||||
| 1991 | Ang Katawan ni Sofia | |||
| Alyas Dodong Guwapo | ||||
| 1992 | Paminsan-minsan | |||
| Tondo: Libingan ng mga Siga | ||||
| 1993 | Teacher...Teacher I Love You | |||
| Parañaque Bank Robbery (Joselito Joseco Story) | Mojica's Gang member | |||
| Dodong Armado | ||||
| 1994 | Tinyente Saplan: Walang Kasukat sa Tapang | Hong Kong title: Deadly _target | ||
| Bratpack (Mga Pambayad Atraso) | ||||
| 1995 | Alfredo Lim: Batas ng Maynila | |||
| Silakbo | Mario Felix | |||
| Barkada, Walang Atrasan | ||||
| Kakaibang Karisma | ||||
| 1996 | Mainit sa Laban... Renegade Soldiers | |||
| Huling Sagupaan | ||||
| Balawis | ||||
| Mara Clara: The Movie | ||||
| Init sa Tag-ulan | ||||
| 1997 | Jacob C.I.S. | |||
| Huwag Mo Nang Itanong | ||||
| Tapang sa Tapang | ||||
| Cobra | ||||
| Bawal Mahalin, Bawal Ibigin | ||||
| Bandido | ||||
| Padre Kalibre | ||||
| 1998 | Kahit Mabuhay Kang Muli | |||
| Sige, Subukan Mo | Jake | |||
| 1999 | Boy Tapang | |||
| 2001 | Cool Dudes | |||
| 2009 | Ang Panday | Chieftain | ||
| 2015 | Upak Gang | |||
| Honor Thy Father | Manny | |||
| 2019 | Santigwar | Mang Nano |
Personal life
editFernandez is married to actress Sheila Ysrael.[17] His son Danzel Rafter is an incumbent board member of Laguna from the 1st district since 2022.
Global Aero Bleu Corporation, partially (10%) owned by Fernandez, was accused of failing to settle a debt by Fly Noor, which filed a US$751,536.84 claim against it on November 5, 2023 regarding aircraft lease.[18]
References
edit- ^ Cervantes, Filane Mikee (February 5, 2020). "4 PDP-Laban lawmakers join NUP". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ a b "Government Officials". Santa Rosa. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Know your Candidates". Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ "House of Representatives". www.congress.gov.ph. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ a b c "A matter of constituent interest". Philippines Graphic. October 28, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Dan Fernandez". IMDb. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ G.R. No. 187478 (December 21, 2009), Representative DANILO RAMON S. FERNANDEZ, Petitioner, vs. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL and JESUS L. VICENTE, Respondents., retrieved February 2, 2023
- ^ Amoroso, Ed (December 23, 2009). "Dan Fernandez to be reinstated as Laguna lawmaker?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
- ^ "Congress to honor SC ruling, to reinstall Dan Fernandez". The Manila Times. January 4, 2010. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
- ^ Reganit, Jose Cielito (July 25, 2019). "House begins filling committee rosters". Philippine Canadian Inquirer. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ Cruz, RG (November 18, 2020). "More Cayetano allies removed from key positions in Velasco's house". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ Luci-Atienza, Charissa (January 16, 2021). "Ok for Defensor to join Cayetano-led BTS sa Kongreso, says Rep. Romualdez". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "LIST: Celebs who are winning in Halalan 2022". ABS-CBN News. May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ Porcalla, Delon (August 1, 2022). "House leadership fills over half of committee chairmanships". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Francisco, Abner (November 7, 2024). "Representatives Fernandez and Abante step down as Quad Comm chairs". Brigada News. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Datu, Dennis (October 6, 2024). "Former actress Gem Castillo running for vice-governor of Laguna, with Cong. Fernandez as governor". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ "Lolit Solis apologizes after believing rumor that Ivana Alawi is dating Dan Fernandez". MSN. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- ^ Mencias, Aileen (March 8, 2024). "Dan Fernandez's Global Aero embroiled in $751K payment dispute over aircraft lease". bilyonaryo.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.