Cynthia Villar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cynthia Villar
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Villar in 2015
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| Senator of the Philippines | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2013 |
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| Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Committee | |
| Assumed office July 23, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Alan Peter Cayetano (Agrarian Reform Committee) |
| Chair of the Senate Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Committee | |
| Assumed office September 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Committee established |
| Chair of the Senate Climate Change Committee | |
| In office July 22, 2019 – September 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Loren Legarda |
| Succeeded by | Committee dissolved |
| Chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources | |
| In office July 25, 2016 – September 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Loren Legarda |
| Succeeded by | Committee dissolved |
| Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee | |
| In office February 27, 2017 – September 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Francis Pangilinan |
| Succeeded by | Committee dissolved |
| In office July 22, 2013 – June 30, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Francis Pangilinan |
| Succeeded by | Francis Pangilinan |
| Chair of the Senate Government Corporations and Public Enterprises Committee | |
| In office July 22, 2013 – June 30, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Franklin Drilon |
| Succeeded by | Dick Gordon |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Las Piñas's at-large congressional district | |
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Manny Villar |
| Succeeded by | Mark Villar |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Cynthia Ampaya Aguilar
July 29, 1950 Muntinlupa, Rizal, Philippines |
| Political party | Nacionalista (2004–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent (2001–2004) |
| Spouse |
Manny Villar
(m. 1975) |
| Children |
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| Residences | Las Piñas, Metro Manila |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman (BSBA) New York University (MBA) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Businesswoman |
| Signature |  |
Cynthia Aguilar Villar (born Cynthia Ampaya Aguilar on July 29, 1950) is a well-known Filipina politician. She is currently serving as a Senator of the Philippines. Before becoming a senator, she was a member of the House of Representatives for Las Piñas from 2001 to 2010. She was first elected to the Senate in 2013. In 2019, she was re-elected for her second term, receiving a very high number of votes.
Contents
About Cynthia Villar
Early Life and Education
Cynthia Villar was born on July 29, 1950, in Muntinlupa, which was then part of Rizal. Her father, Filemon Aguilar, was a long-time mayor of Las Piñas and also a congressman. Her mother was Lydia Ampaya.
She finished elementary school in Muntinlupa in 1962. In 1966, she graduated from high school at the Philippine Christian University. She then studied at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman), earning a degree in Business Administration in 1970. It was at UP Diliman where she met her husband, Manny Villar, who also became a senator. In 1972, she earned a master's degree in Business Administration from New York University.
Family and Business Career
Before she got married, Cynthia Villar worked as a financial analyst and a professor. In 1975, she married Manny Villar. After their marriage, she helped her husband manage his businesses. She became a director and vice president of Household Finance Corporation. Later, she managed Capitol Development Bank, serving as its treasurer from 1989 to 1990 and its president from 1990 to 1998.
In 1992, she started the Villar Foundation. This foundation works on projects to help communities. She is currently its managing director.
When her husband, Manny Villar, became the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1998, she became the chairwoman of the Congressional Spouses Foundation. She served in this role until 2000. Her brother, Vergel Aguilar, also served as the mayor of Las Piñas.
Cynthia Villar is known for her successful background in business. She is one of the wealthiest senators in the Philippines.
Public Service and Political Journey
Serving in Congress
In 2001, Cynthia Villar ran to represent the Lone District of Las Piñas in the House of Representatives. She won by a large margin and served in this position until 2010.
When her husband became the Senate President in 2006, she became the president of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. She held this role until December 2008.
Becoming a Senator
In 2013, Cynthia Villar ran for a seat in the Senate. She won and placed 10th in the election.
She has been involved in various discussions in the Senate. For example, in 2017, she suggested that the government might want to consider a ban on "unli-rice" (unlimited rice) in restaurants.
In 2016, her son, Mark Villar, was appointed as the public works and highways secretary by President Rodrigo Duterte.
In 2018, Cynthia Villar stated that she saw no problem with her family's properties in Boracay during investigations about the island. She also expressed her views on social issues, stating that she did not support same sex marriage in the Philippines. In October 2018, she filed her papers to run for re-election in the 2019 Senate elections. She also mentioned her admiration for President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2018.
Re-election and Recognition
In January 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte supported Cynthia Villar's re-election campaign. She went on to win the Senate race with over 25 million votes. This was a record-breaking number of votes at the time for a Philippine Senate election. She was re-elected for her second term in the Senate.
In March 2024, the United Nations Association of the Philippines gave Cynthia Villar a Human Rights Award. This award recognized her efforts in working towards Sustainable Development Goal 1 (ending poverty) and Goal 16 (protecting biodiversity). It also recognized her work in promoting a healthy environment.
Images for kids
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Cynthia Villar's signature
