Eddie Villanueva facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eddie Villanueva
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Official portrait, 2025
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| Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines | |
| In office July 22, 2019 – June 1, 2022 |
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| House Speaker | Alan Peter Cayetano Lord Allan Velasco |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for CIBAC | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2019 Serving with Domingo Rivera (2019–2022)
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| Preceded by | Sherwin Tugna |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Eduardo Cruz Villanueva
October 6, 1946 Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines |
| Political party | CIBAC (2018–present) Bangon (2004–present) |
| Spouse |
Adoracion Jose Villanueva
(m. 1971; |
| Children | 4, including Joel |
| Alma mater | Philippine College of Commerce (BComm) University of the Philippines Diliman |
Eduardo Cruz Villanueva (born October 6, 1946), often called Bro. Eddie Villanueva, is a Filipino religious leader and politician. He is the founder and leader of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide (JILCW), a large Christian church.
In his younger years, Villanueva was an activist. During the time of Martial Law in the Philippines, he was put in jail twice for helping people fight for their rights.
Today, besides leading his church, he is also a politician. He is a member of the Philippine Congress, where he helps make laws for the country. He also founded a political party called the Bangon Pilipinas Party.
Bro. Eddie is also involved in media. He started the ZOE Broadcasting Network, which owns TV and radio stations like A2Z Channel 11 and Light TV. He also founded a Christian school called Jesus Is Lord Colleges Foundation, Inc.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Eddie Villanueva was born in Bocaue, Bulacan, on October 6, 1946. His parents were Joaquin Villanueva and Maria Cruz. His father was a famous athlete who ran for the Philippines in the Far Eastern Games in the 1920s.
In 1969, Villanueva earned a degree in commerce from the Philippine College of Commerce. This school is now known as the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. As a student, he became an activist. He joined groups that wanted to see changes in the government.
He also studied law at the University of the Philippines. However, he was very busy with his activism and never took the final exam to become a lawyer. Because of his political beliefs, he was jailed two times during Martial Law.
Villanueva worked as a professor at his old college. He taught economics and finance. He also worked as a manager for different companies before returning to teaching.
Religious and Political Life
Becoming a Religious Leader
In 1973, Villanueva had an experience that changed his life and led him to become a devout Christian. A few days later, a legal problem he was facing was solved, which he saw as a miracle.
On October 5, 1978, he started the Jesus Is Lord Church. It began with only 15 people in a small Bible study group. The church grew very quickly. Today, it has millions of members in the Philippines and in many other countries around the world.
Running for Office
Bro. Eddie has been very active in Philippine politics. He believes his faith calls him to serve the country.
- Presidential Elections: He ran for president of the Philippines two times, in the 2004 election and the 2010 election. He did not win, but he shared his ideas for the country with many people.
- Senate Election: In 2013, he ran for a seat in the Senate of the Philippines. He finished 19th in the race for 12 open seats.
- Member of Congress: In 2019, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He represents a group called the Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC). He also served as a Deputy Speaker of the House, which is a leadership role in Congress.
Awards and Media Work
Villanueva has received several awards for his work. In 1996, he was given the Gintong Ama (Golden Father) award for his contributions to society.
His TV network, ZOE Broadcasting Network, also won an award in 2001. It was recognized for its fair news coverage during an important time in Philippine history known as the People Power II movement.
Bro. Eddie hosts several TV programs on his network, including Diyos at Bayan (God and Country). In this show, he discusses important national issues from a Christian point of view.
Personal Life
Bro. Eddie was married to Adoracion "Dory" Villanueva. They were married in 1971 and had four children. His wife Dory passed away in March 2020.
Their children are also involved in public service.
- His son, Eduardo "Jon-Jon" Villanueva, Jr., is the mayor of their hometown, Bocaue, Bulacan.
- His son, Joel Villanueva, is a Senator of the Philippines and serves as the Senate Majority Leader.
- His daughter, Joni Villanueva-Tugna, was the mayor of Bocaue before she passed away in May 2020. She was also a Christian singer and TV host.
- His other daughter, Edelisha Jovi, works as an educator.
