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Joel Villanueva
Senator Joell Villanueva supports 2025 budget.jpg
Villanueva in 2024
Senate Majority Leader
In office
July 25, 2022 – May 20, 2024
Deputy JV Ejercito
Mark Villar
Preceded by Migz Zubiri
Succeeded by Francis Tolentino
Senator of the Philippines
Assumed office
June 30, 2016
Chair of the Senate Higher, Technical and Vocational Education Committee
In office
July 22, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by Francis Escudero
Succeeded by Francis Escudero
Chair of the Senate Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development Committee
In office
July 25, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by Jinggoy Estrada
Succeeded by Jinggoy Estrada
Chair of the Senate Youth Committee
In office
July 25, 2016 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by Bam Aquino
Succeeded by Sonny Angara
Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
In office
June 30, 2010 – October 13, 2015
President Benigno Aquino III
Preceded by Augusto Syjuco, Jr.
Succeeded by Irene Isaac
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Citizens' Battle Against Corruption
In office
February 6, 2002 – June 30, 2010
Serving with Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales (2007–2010)
Succeeded by Sherwin Tugna
Personal details
Born
Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva

(1975-08-02) August 2, 1975 (age 49)
Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines
Political party Independent (2021–present)
Other political
affiliations
Liberal (2013–2019)
Bangon (2004–2013)
CIBAC (2001–2021)
Spouse Gladys Cruz
Children 2
Parents Eddie Villanueva
Adoracion Villanueva
Alma mater University of Santo Tomas (BS)
Harvard University (MBA)
Joel Villanueva
Career information
College UST
Career history
2013 Congress-LGU Legislators
c. 2014 Malacañang Patriots
2016-present Senate Defenders
Career highlights and awards
  • UNTV Cup Season 6 champion
  • UAAP champion (1994)

Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva (/vɪljɑːnw[unsupported input]ɑː/), born August 2, 1975, is a well-known Filipino politician. He is often called "Tesdaman" because of his work with TESDA. Joel Villanueva has been a Senator since 2016.

Before becoming a Senator, he led the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) from 2010 to 2015. He also served in the House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010. When he first joined the House, he was only 26 years old, making him its youngest member. Joel is the son of famous evangelist and politician Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

Besides his political career, Joel Villanueva is also a basketball player. He plays for the Senate Defenders team in the UNTV Cup. He also played for the Philippine national team and the University of Santo Tomas team.

Early Life and Education

Joel Villanueva was born on August 2, 1975, in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines. He is the second of four children. His parents are the Christian evangelist Eddie Villanueva and Adoracion "Dory" Jose-Villanueva.

He studied at the University of Santo Tomas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce with a major in Economics in 1996. Later, he went to Harvard University in the United States. There, he studied for a Master in Business Administration from 1996 to 1998.

Sports Career

Joel Villanueva basketball tesda
Villanueva playing for Team Trabaho as part of his "Shoot for your Dream" program

While studying at the University of Santo Tomas, Joel Villanueva was a part of the UST Growling Tigers basketball team. This team won the UAAP Season 56 and 57 championships in 1994–1995. He also played for the Philippine national basketball team in international games, like the first 1994 SEABA Championship.

He returned to playing basketball in 2013, joining the Congress-LGU Legislators team in the UNTV Cup. In 2014, he played for the Malacañang Patriots. After becoming a Senator, Villanueva joined the Senate Defenders basketball team. He was part of the team that won the UNTV Cup Season 6 championship in 2018.

Political Journey

Starting in Congress

Joel Villanueva began his political career in 2001. He was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives as a party-list representative for Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC). A party-list representative is someone who represents a specific group or sector in Congress.

He took his oath of office in February 2002. At 26 years old, he became the youngest member of the House of Representatives at that time. He served in the House from 2001 to 2010. During his time, he helped pass important laws, like the Anti Red-Tape Law of 2007.

Leading TESDA

Joel Villanueva portrait
Villanueva in 2015

In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Joel Villanueva to lead the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). TESDA is an agency that provides technical education and skills training.

As TESDA chief, he worked to improve the agency. He started a program called "Shoot for your Dream," which featured basketball games with famous players. Villanueva himself played in these games as part of "Team Trabaho" (Team Work). This program aimed to inspire people to pursue their dreams through skills training.

Under his leadership, TESDA's main office and many regional offices received special certifications for their good management. He even took a vocational course in Advanced Food and Beverage Services himself to become a barista. He resigned from TESDA in October 2015 to run for Senator.

Becoming a Senator

Senator Joel Villanueva Official Portrait (18th Congress)
Official portrait of Villanueva as a senator for the 18th Congress, c. 2019

In 2016, Joel Villanueva ran for Senator. He campaigned using his nickname "TESDA Man." His platform focused on creating jobs and improving education. He won the election, placing second overall with many votes.

He ran for re-election in the 2022 senatorial elections as an independent candidate. He was successful again, finishing in 9th place. After winning, he was chosen as the Senate Majority Leader for the 19th Congress. This means he helps lead the Senate's work.

In September 2024, Senator Villanueva questioned a proposed budget cut for the Office of the Vice President. He stressed the importance of following rules and traditions in budget discussions.

Personal Life and Awards

Joel Villanueva, official portait
Official portrait of Villanueva as senator for the 19th Congress, c. 2022

Joel Villanueva has two children, Jaden and Gwyn. He is a big fan of basketball, especially the Boston Celtics team.

He has received several awards for his public service. In 2012, he received the Gawad Dangal ng Lipi for Public Service Award from the Bulacan provincial government. In 2013, he was given the DEVEX Manila 40 Under 40 International Development Leaders Award. His former school, the University of Santo Tomas, also named him the Most Outstanding Alumni. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines gave him an honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities, in 2013.

Villanueva used to host a TV show called Adyenda. He also leads a youth organization called the Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan Movement.

Images for kids

See also

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