Danilo Fernandez

Danilo Ramon Subiaga "Dan" Fernandez (born January 14, 1966) is a Filipino politician, actor, businessman, 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. 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.

Early life and education

Danilo Ramon Fernandez was born January 14, 1966 in Pagsanjan. He was the youngest of the four children of Edilberto Fernandez Sr., who served as a councilor of Pagsanjan, and Teresita Fernandez. 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.

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.

Acting career

Dan 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).

Political career

Fernandez was first elected as member of the Laguna Provincial Board from the 4th district in 1998, serving for one term until 2001. He was elected vice governor of Laguna in 2001, serving for one term until 2004.

2004 gubernatorial campaign

Fernandez chose not to seek re-election for vice governor and instead ran for Governor of Laguna in 2004. He eventually lost to incumbent Governor Teresita Lazaro. He filed a petition to annul Lazaro's proclamation, alleging tampering of election results in Biñan and San Pablo. However, on October 9, 2006, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) dismissed the petition and denied his motion for reconsideration, due to his failure in filing timely objections and providing evidence of fraud. According to his 2025 Certificate of Candidacy, he transferred his residence to Santa Rosa, Laguna, several months after his vice gubernatorial term ended on June 30, 2004.

House of Representatives (2007-2016)

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.

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)

Fernandez 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)

Fernandez 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. 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. 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.

Fernandez sought re-election in 2022, this time for the newly established lone district of Santa Rosa. He was elected, 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, making him a concurrent member of the National Security Council. 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. In January 2025, an ethics complaint was filed by Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer of Cassandra Ong, against Fernandez. The complaint alleged conduct unbecoming of a legislator and Quad Committee chairman, citing violations of the Code of Conduct during hearings on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and calling for Fernandez's expulsion.

2025 gubernatorial campaign

Fernandez chose not to run for re-election to run in the House and ran instead for governor of Laguna for the second time in 2025. He chose fellow actor Gem Castillo as his vice gubernatorial running mate. On April 25, 2025, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Kontra Bigay committee issued show-cause order to Fernandez over alleged vote buying activities surrounding his campaign. Fernandez later lost the race to former Laguna 3rd district representative Sol Aragones, placing third.

Filmography

Personal life

Fernandez is married to actress Sheila Ysrael. 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 claim against it on November 5, 2023 regarding aircraft lease.

References

External links

Danilo Ramon S. Fernandez Congress profile (19th Congress)Danilo Ramon S. Fernandez Congress profile (15th Congress)Danilo Ramon S. Fernandez Congress profile (14th Congress)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fernandez, Danilo
1966 births
Filipino health professionals
Optometrists
Living people
Male actors from Laguna (province)
Mayors of places in Laguna (province)
Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Laguna (province)
Members of the Laguna Provincial Board
People from Santa Rosa, Laguna
Deputy speakers of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Centro Escolar University alumni
National Unity Party (Philippines) politicians
Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Santa Rosa
Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas politicians