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Joel Villanueva

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Jose and the surname or paternal family name is Villanueva.

Joel Villanueva
Official portrait, 2022
Senate Deputy Minority Leader
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 9, 2025
Serving with Rodante Marcoleta
LeaderAlan Peter Cayetano
Preceded byRisa Hontiveros
Juan Miguel Zubiri
Senate Majority Leader
In office
July 28, 2025 – September 8, 2025
Preceded byFrancis Tolentino
Succeeded byJuan Miguel Zubiri
In office
July 25, 2022 – May 20, 2024
DeputyJV Ejercito
Mark Villar
Preceded byMigz Zubiri
Succeeded byFrancis Tolentino
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2016
Committee positions
Chair of the Senate Higher, Technical and Vocational Education Committee
In office
July 22, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Preceded byFrancis Escudero
Succeeded byFrancis Escudero
Chair of the Senate Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development Committee
In office
July 25, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Preceded byJinggoy Estrada
Succeeded byJinggoy Estrada
Chair of the Senate Youth Committee
In office
July 25, 2016 – June 30, 2019
Preceded byBam Aquino
Succeeded bySonny Angara
Minority Floor Leader of the Commission on Appointments
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 24, 2025
Preceded byRisa Hontiveros
Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
In office
June 30, 2010 – October 13, 2015
PresidentBenigno Aquino III
Preceded byAugusto Syjuco, Jr.
Succeeded byIrene Isaac
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for CIBAC
In office
February 6, 2002 – June 30, 2010
Personal details
Born
Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva

(1975-08-02) August 2, 1975 (age 50)
Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines
Political partyIndependent (2013–2015; since 2019)
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (2015–2019)[1]
Bangon (2004–2013)
CIBAC (since 2001)
SpouseGladys Cruz
Children2
Parents
Alma materUniversity of Santo Tomas (BS)
WebsiteOfficial website
Basketball career
Career information
CollegeUST
Career history
2013Congress-LGU Legislators
c. 2014Malacañang Patriots
2016-presentSenate Defenders
Career highlights

Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva[2] (/vɪljɑːnuːwɛbɑː/, born August 2, 1975), nicknamed "Tesdaman",[3] is a Filipino politician who has served as senator of the Philippines since 2016 as an independent politician. He previously held the position of Senate majority leader from 2022 to 2024 and again from July 2025 to September 2025.

A son of evangelist and politician Eddie Villanueva, founder of Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide, he is a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas. He initially dreamt of becoming a professional basketball player[4] before starting his political career in the House of Representatives, representing CIBAC party-list from 2002 to 2010. Entering the chamber at the age of 26, he was the youngest member of the House when he assumed office. From 2010 to 2015, he served as the Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) from 2010 to 2015 in the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

Early life

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Joel Villanueva was born on August 2, 1975, in Bocaue, Bulacan. He is the second of four children of the Philippine Christian evangelist Eddie Villanueva and Adoracion "Dory" Jose-Villanueva.[5] He attended the University of Santo Tomas where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree, with a Major in Economics. He attended Harvard Extension School in the United States for Special Studies in Business Administration from 1996 to 1998.[6]

Villanueva has claimed that he was among the people who initiated the Second EDSA Revolution against President Joseph Estrada in January 2001, alleging that he blocked Epifanio de los Santos Avenue with his car in protest of Estrada's corrupt administration.[4]

House of Representatives

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Villanueva was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives in 2001 as a party-list representative of the Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC).[7] However, his oath-taking was stalled for seven months following issues that CIBAC was an extension of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide, a Christian church founded by his father, Eddie Villanueva. At age 26, Villanueva took his oath of office in February 2002, becoming the youngest member of the House of Representatives (a distinction previously held by Felix William Fuentebella).[8]

Villanueva was a member of the 12th, 13th, and 14th Congresses spanning 2001 through 2010. At the 12th Congress, he became the first party-list representative, minority leader of the House's Commission on Appointments, and assistant majority leader in the House. He was also among the principal sponsors of Republic Act No. 9485 (the Anti Red-Tape Law of 2007). [7] In the 13th Congress, he served as a deputy minority leader in the House.[9][10]

TESDA

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Villanueva in 2015

He was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as TESDA chief in 2010.[11] Upon assuming his post as head of TESDA, Villanueva initiated an audit of the agency stemming from a ₱2.4 billion sponsorship debt related to undocumented TESDA scholarships. The audit reduced the agency's debt to ₱880 million after eliminating "ghost schools" and "ghost scholars".[12]

As TESDA chief, he initiated the "Shoot for your Dream" series, an aspirational program which involved exhibition games featuring Philippine Basketball Association legends.[13] Villanueva himself played as part of the basketball exhibition team, named "Team Trabaho".[11]

Under his watch, TESDA's central office, as well as 17 regional offices and 81 provincial offices, were granted ISO certifications. Among these certifications included the office at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the first TESDA office to receive such a certification in Mindanao.[14]

While in office as Director General of TESDA, he completed an extensive vocational course in Advanced Food and Beverage Services within the agency for training as a barista.[7]

In August 2016, the National Bureau of Investigation filed graft and corruption charges against Joel Villanueva, Senator Gregorio Honasan, and other lawmakers in relation to the pork barrel scam.[15]

Prior to launching a senatorial bid, he tendered his resignation from the post on October 9, 2015.[16] His resignation became effective on October 13, 2015, and President Benigno Aquino III named TESDA deputy director general Irene Isaac as his successor.[17]

Senate

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Villanueva ran for senator under the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid in the 2016 senatorial elections. He was also a shared candidate in the 10-member senatorial slate of the late presidential candidate Miriam Defensor Santiago.[18] He filed his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections on October 16, 2015.[19] He unexpectedly won the Senate race, landing in second place with 18,459,222 votes.[20]

Campaigning under the moniker "TESDA Man"[21] (alternatively spelled as Tesdaman) alluding to his previous experience as head of TESDA, Villanueva's platform is focused on employment. His platform is likewise abbreviated into TESDA – which stands for Trabaho, Edukasyon, Serbisyo, Dignidad and Asenso (Employment, Education, Service, Dignity and Progress).[22]

Involvement in the pork barrel scam

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On November 14, 2016, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered Villanueva's dismissal from public service for "grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service" over alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund in 2008 during his tenure as a CIBAC representative amounting to 10 million pesos. Villanueva claimed that the incriminating documents against him were forged.[23][24] The Commission on Audit ordered the disallowance of the P10-million transaction in 2014.[25] According to the Ombudsman, funds were released through bogus NGOs for an agricultural and livelihood "ghost project".[23] The Ombudsman also flagged other irregularities, such as how the list of beneficiaries was bogus and the fact that the beneficiary towns were not suitable for farming.[25] Other supporting documents were allegedly fabricated, including liquidation, disbursement records, and accomplishment reports.[25] The Ombudsman directed Senate President Koko Pimentel to implement the order against Villanueva.[26] Amid the administrative charged filed after a series of in-depth Ombudsman investigations, criminal charges were also filed against Villanueva in the Sandiganbayan, which include two counts of violation of the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and one count of malversation through falsification of public documents. The court litigation remains ongoing.[23]

19th Congress

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Villanueva ran for re-election in the 2022 senatorial elections. Running as an independent candidate, he was named as a guest candidate of the Lacson–Sotto, MP3 Alliance, and TRoPa slates.[27] According to data from from Nielsen, Villanueva was among the biggest campaign spenders in the Senate race, having spent ₱1.73 billion during the pre-campaign period and ₱1.05 billion during the campaign period.[28] He was successful, landing ninth place with 18,539,537 votes. He was later named Senate majority leader at the opening of the 19th Congress.[9][10] New San Jose Builders gave Villanueva a campaign donation of ₱20 million, which was biggest corporate donation to a senatorial aspirant in the 2022 elections.[29] The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism noted that the donation constitutes a possible election violation of the ban on giving or receiving donations from corporations with active government contracts.[30]

Villanueva during a Senate session discussing the 2025 budget

Upon the opening of the 19th Congress on July 25, 2022, Villanueva regained his title as the Senate majority floor leader. He would serve in this capacity until leadership changes on May 20, 2024, when Senator Francis Escudero became the Senate President, replacing Senator Migz Zubiri. He was succeeded by Francis Tolentino.

In September 2024, the House Committee on Appropriations plans to cut ₱1.29 billion to the proposed ₱2 billion budget of the Office of the Vice President in 2025. According to the said committee, this was due to the "lack of information" given from Vice President Sara Duterte. Villanueva questioned the budget cut and treatment made by the House committee on the OVP. He cited some "inconsistency" and encourage that the committee must continue tradition of implementing the rules regardless of the officials involved.[31]

In June 2025, during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Villanueva was caught on video coaching Senator Imee Marcos to interrupt and derail the manifestation speech of Senator Risa Hontiveros. In the video, Villanueva stated to Marcos, "Go to the microphone. Say that the point of order takes precedence. Para tumigil sya (transl. so she will stop talking – referring to Hontiveros)." Political experts note that the video seems to show a conspiracy of senators, namely Villanueva, Marcos, Ejercito, and Dela Rosa, attempting to cut off an incumbent senator's speech on impeachment procedure. Villanueva was among the 18 senators who voted to "return" the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives.[23] The return has been called "illegal" by various political and law experts.[32]

20th Congress

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Upon the opening of the 20th Congress on July 28, 2025, Villanueva regained his title as the Senate majority floor leader, as Francis Tolentino was not re-elected in the May 2025 election. On September 9, 2025, a day after Tito Sotto replaced Francis Escudero as the Senate President, Villanueva became a Senate deputy minority floor leader, alongside Senator Rodante Marcoleta.[33]

Flood control projects controversy

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See also: Flood control projects controversy in the Philippines

In September 2025, Villanueva was alleged to have used ₱600 million for anomalous flood control projects in Balagtas, Bulacan, and received 30% or ₱150 million in kickbacks.[34][35]

Sporting career

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

While he was a student of the University of Santo Tomas, Villanueva played with the UST Growling Tigers varsity basketball team, that won the UAAP Season 56 and 57 of 1994–1995.[13] Villanueva was part of the Philippines national basketball team that competed in international basketball competitions[11] such as the inaugural 1994 SEABA Championship (coached by Virgil Villavicencio).[36]

He returned to competitive basketball in 2013, playing for the Congress-LGU Legislators in the UNTV Cup. In 2014, he played for the Malacañang Patriots.[37] After winning a Senate seat, Villanueva joined the Senate Defenders basketball team, in preparations for the opening of Season 5 of the UNTV Cup.[38] He was part of the Defenders' championship team that won the UNTV Cup Season 6 in 2018.[39]

Personal life

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Villanueva was given the Gawad Dangal ng Lipi for Public Service Award by the Bulacan provincial government on September 15, 2012. The Development Executive Group (DevEx) an organization based in the United States gave him the DEVEX Manila 40 Under 40 International Development Leaders Award on February 19, 2013. A former student of the University of Santo Tomas, he was named as Most Outstanding Alumni Award by the university.[6] He was granted an Honoris Causa degree of Doctor of Humanities by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines on May 10, 2013.[7]

Villanueva has two children, Jaden and Gwyn.[11] As a basketball enthusiast, Villanueva is reportedly a fan of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association.[12] He formerly hosted the television program, Adyenda, and leads the Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan Movement, a youth organization.[7]

Villanueva is a member of a political family. His father, Jesus Is Lord (JIL) founder Eddie Villanueva is a congressman representing CIBAC Party-list. His brother Jonjon is mayor of Bocaue in Bulacan and his sister Joni was the former mayor of Bocaue whose husband Sherwin Tugna is the incumbent vice mayor of Bocaue. The family has been described as an "obese dynasty". Addressing the critical label of "political dynasty" to the Villanuevas, his father Eddie Villanueva stated that the term is "not applicable" to them and that they are "here for advocacy".[23]

Electoral history

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Electoral history of Joel Villanueva
Year Office Party Votes received Result
Total % P. Swing
2001 Representative (Party-list) CIBAC 323,810 4.96% 5th — Won
2004 495,193 3.89% 6th -1.07 Won
2007 755,735 4.72% 3rd +0.83 Won
2016 Senator of the Philippines Liberal 18,459,222 41.04% 2nd — Won
2022 Independent 18,486,034 33.28% 9th -7.76 Won

References

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  1. ^ Fonbuena, Carmela (August 20, 2015). "Why Joel Villanueva is not keen on joining LP Senate ticket". Rappler. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  2. ^ Adel, Rosette (February 16, 2016). "LIST: Official candidates for national posts in May 9 polls". The Philippine Star.
  3. ^ "'Tesdaman' Villanueva gets People of the Year award". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 5, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Toni Gonzaga Studio (September 27, 2021). Why Did Senator Joel Villanueva Question God After Losing His Mom and Sister {{|}} Toni Talks. YouTube. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "Who is Bro. Eddie Villanueva?". Bro. Eddie Villanueva. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Profile". Joel Villanueva Official Website. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Director General's Profile". TESDA. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  8. ^ Labog-Javellena, Juliet (February 7, 2002). "New Solon takes office with much fanfare". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Bacelonia, Wilnard (July 25, 2022). "Villanueva to lead Senate majority; Pimentel for minority". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Sen. Joel Villanueva's Acceptance Speech as Senate Majority Leader". Senate of the Philippines (Press release). July 25, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d "Shooting for Joel 'Tesdaman' Villanueva's dreams". The Standard. February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Love for basketball unites Dato Arroyo, Joel Villanueva". ABS-CBN News. July 26, 2012. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Caluag, Randy (August 13, 2015). "Team Trabaho a hit among Filipino youth". The Standard. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  14. ^ Chu, Patricia Denise (April 13, 2015). "Aquino lionizes Joel Villanueva in speech marking TESDA's ISO certification". GMA News Online.
  15. ^ Marcelo, Elizabeth; Merueñas, Mark (August 7, 2015). "Honasan, Villanueva, 7 others face graft raps over 'pork' scam". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  16. ^ Alvarez, Kathrina Charmaine (October 9, 2015). "TESDA chief Joel Villanueva resigns ahead of 2016 senatorial run". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  17. ^ Bacani, Louis (October 15, 2015). "PNoy accepts Villanueva's resignation, names new TESDA head". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  18. ^ Gonzales, Yuji Vincent (February 13, 2016). "Shared candidates comprise Santiago-Marcos Senate slate". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  19. ^ Gonzales, Yuji Vincent (October 16, 2015). "Ex-Tesda chief Villanueva 'applies' for Senate job, willing to campaign with De Lima". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  20. ^ "Joel Villanueva celebrates Senate race win with PNoy". GMA News Online. May 22, 2016. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  21. ^ "Joel Villanueva adopts 'TESDA Man' nickname, says, 'TESDA owes me for promotions'". Coconuts Manila. March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  22. ^ "'TESDAMAN' Villanueva: Boost workforce training through budget reforms". Manila Bulletin. February 29, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  23. ^ a b c d e "The Senate of coach Joel". Vera Files (Press release). June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  24. ^ "Sen. Villanueva ordered dismissed from public service over 'pork'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  25. ^ a b c Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (November 14, 2016). "Sen. Villanueva ordered dismissed from public service over 'pork'". Inquirer.net. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  26. ^ "Ombudsman: Senator Joel Villanueva liable for P10M PDAF scam". Ombudsman of the Philippines. November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  27. ^ "Villanueva admits initial dilemma in joining campaign sorties of rival parties". CNN Philippines. February 24, 2022. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  28. ^ Fonbuena, Carmela (July 25, 2022). "Watchdogs want campaign donors identified as 2022 national bets air ads worth P19-B". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  29. ^ Lopez, Elyssa (May 12, 2023). "Villanueva got money from gov't contractor; Ejercito, Padilla corporate donors exceed limits". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  30. ^ "Puno ng grasya! Joel Villanueva got P20-M campaign donation from housing chief Jerry Acuzar's firm - report". Politiko. May 14, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  31. ^ "Senator questions House 'consistency' in trimming OVP budget". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 3, 2024. "You can file a resolution, you can investigate on the confidential funds. That's what I mean. If you do that as well, well if you do that, that is your decision then, do it consistently do it in other agencies. Hindi lang naman Office of the Vice President ang may kwestyon sa (not only the Office of the Vice President has questions on its) confidential funds," Villanueva explained.
  32. ^ Oliquino, Edjen (June 11, 2025). "Senate accused of brazenly violating Constitution; Prosecutors defer accepting remanded impeach raps". Daily Tribune. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  33. ^ Magsambol, Bonz; Cruz, James Patrick (September 9, 2025). "Senate leadership shake-up: Who are in majority and minority?". Rappler. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  34. ^ Cruz, James Patrick (September 9, 2025). "Senators Estrada, Villanueva tagged in alleged flood control kickbacks in Bulacan". Rappler. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  35. ^ Cahatol, Marilyn (September 23, 2025). "Villanueva says 'ready to be investigated' on P150-M kickback allegation". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  36. ^ Henson, Joaquin (May 18, 2017). "Coach recalls beating Pinoys". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  37. ^ "Malacañang, PNP eye lead". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 12, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  38. ^ "Villanueva joins Senate Defenders". Senate of the Philippines. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  39. ^ "Senate Defenders win UNTV cage crown, P4M for charity". Manila Standard. March 13, 2018. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
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