Richard Mata

Richard Tesoro Mata (born February 5, 1972) is a Filipino pediatrician and media personality.

Medical career Mata graduated from Davao Medical School Foundation, which he got his M.D. degree in 1997. He also got his Diplomate American Board M.D. and Diplomate National Board in 2001 while at San Pedro Hospital. He currently working as a physician for Good Shepherd Hospital of Panabo City, Inc.

He is notable for an article called Solving Dengue Fever. In the said article, it was stating that in an Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP case a patient remains normal even with 10K platelet count, if the patient is always hydrated. Platelet transfusion may present a wrong picture of the water/fluid leak of the Dengue infected patient, hence it should be avoided and proper hydration should be maintained.

In 2014, he was interviewed by SunStar about his development of a web-based application software for patients' safety, and to promote computerization of medical facilities and institution on handling files of the patients. In TikTok, he started to create comedic skits with inserting some medical facts. He is also giving some comments about some issues, and nicknamed as Pambansang Marites na Doktor.

In 2024, amidst of family issues of Carlos Yulo and Milo's selection of EJ Obiena as its new brand ambassador, he jokingly answered questions of the netizen's Milo snub of Yulo saying: The one who buys Milo are mothers, not girlfriends. (Tagalog, original post: “Dahil alam ng Milo na ang bumibili ng Milo ay mga nanay, hindi mga girlfriends.”)

Political career In 2022, Mata was selected as one of the nominees of Kabayan Partylist.

On October 7, 2024, he filed certificate of candidacy for a senate seat for the 2025 elections. He raised the issue of late diagnosis of children with disabilities like autism, blaming it on bureaucratic system in the government, and stating that lack of free and accessible medical needs can burden the parents of those children. He proposed a better coordination with the Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, which facilitates the diagnosis of such disorders among children. He ran running as an independent candidate. on April 10, 2025, Mata joined the Duterten senatorial slate, officially completing the line up. Mata ended up in 30th place with 5,789,181 votes or 1.35% of the votes.

Personal life He is married to Erika Soriano, who started a women's livelihood program and to young scholars. They have 3 children, named: Patricia, Amanda, and the youngest, Rich.

He is also the uncle of Senator Bong Go, as Go's mother is Mata's cousin.

Electoral history