Lorenzo "Larry" Gacilo Gadon (born March 1, 1958) is a Filipino politician and disbarred lawyer. He ran for a senatorial seat in 2016, 2019 and 2022 election, all of which were unsuccessful. Gadon has gained notoriety for his use of vulgar language and his hardline stance against perceived liberals and communists. Since 2019, he is one of the co-hosts of Karambola on DWIZ-AM.
On June 26, 2023, Gadon was appointed as the Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation by President Bongbong Marcos.
Early life and education
Gadon was born on March 1, 1958, in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro to Sulpicio Gadon and Lazarita Gacilo. He obtained both his Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from Far Eastern University.
Career
Gadon was part of the legal team and adviser of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Gadon ran for senator in the 2016 elections under Kilusang Bagong Lipunan but failed to win a seat.
He again ran for senator in the 2019 midterm elections, which he again lost.
He ran for a third consecutive time in the 2022 elections, under the senatorial slate of the UniTeam Alliance. Among his platforms were plans to amend the 1987 Constitution. He lost for a third time.
On June 26, 2023, he was appointed Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation by President Bongbong Marcos; he took oath of office before Marcos on July 10. He promoted his version of a government feeding program called "Batang Busog, Malusog" (, with the initials BBM after the president) as one of his first projects to address youth malnutrition.
Two days later on June 28, Gadon was unanimously disbarred by the Supreme Court, citing his misogynistic, sexist, abusive, and repeated intemperate language. He was also cited in direct contempt for his "baseless allegations of bias" against Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.
Impeachment complaints
In 2017, Gadon filed an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, claiming Sereno's failure to be truthful in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) as well as tax misdeclarations and unauthorized expenses. After the impeachment procces began, a quo warranto petition was filed on March 5, 2018 by Solicitor General Jose Calida to nullify her appointment. On May 11, 2018, the Supreme Court voted to nullify Sereno's appointment by a vote of 8-6. No impeachment trial took place as the petition rendered the complaint moot.
On December 7, 2020, Gadon represented Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government Secretary General Edwin Cordevilla in filing an impeachment complaint against Associate Justice Marvic Leonen. Prior to the complaint, Gadon requested access to Leonen's SALN to prepare a quo warranto petition but was rejected by the Supreme Court. The impeachment complaint was unanimously junked by the House of Representatives in May 27, 2021.
Political positions
Ferdinand Marcos
Gadon does not believe in the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family and supported the state burial of Ferdinand Marcos.
Bangsamoro Organic Law
Gadon was against Bangsamoro Organic Law during the 2016 elections. He has since changed his mind and supported it during his 2019 campaign, believing that it will end the decades-long conflict in Mindanao.
LGBT rights
Gadon is against same-sex marriage, believing that it violates the sanctity of marriage.
Freedom of Information
Gadon is in favor of the Freedom of Information Bill.
Communism
Gadon is a staunch anti-communist and opposes far-left groups such as the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and the National Democratic Front.
Controversies
Remarks against Moros
In a 2016 interview with journalist Kara David on GMA News TV's News to Go, Gadon said that he wants all Muslims or Moros, even children, killed by burning their homes through the Armed Forces, when he was asked about the problems on Moro rebels in Mindanao. As a result, two Moro lawyers and a peace advocate from Lanao del Sur filed separate disbarment complaints at the Supreme Court against Gadon. Gadon later issued an apology, stating that he was carried away by his emotions. Three years later, he clarified that he was not anti-Muslim and said that he was referring to troublemakers in Mindanao and only supported killing terrorists.