"Fulfilling a Mission to Serve"

FROM ATHLETE TO ANTI-GRAFT CRUSADER TO TECH-VOC ADVOCATE TO LAWMAKER AND FISCALIZER, SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA HAS HURDLED VARIOUS CHALLENGES THROUGH FAITH IN GOD AND A BURNING PASSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.

Basketball-loving Filipinos, especially those who followed collegiate basketball in the early to mid-1990s, will remember the powerhouse basketball teams of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). The Growling Tigers in those years won four consecutive UAAP basketball championships, including a sweep of the tournament in Season 56 (1993). When UST won another championship in Season 57 (1994), one of its players was a certain Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva, who would eventually shift his pursuit of a professional basketball career to a more meaningful journey in public service. At present, Filipinos know him as a former congressman, “TESDAMAN,” or simply, Senator Joel Villanueva.

SIMILAR NAME, SIMILAR CALLING Although Villanueva once dreamed of playing professionally in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), particularly given his skills and background in basketball and sports in general, he became commonly known owing to his prominent family. The senator, who hails from Bocaue, Bulacan, is the second of four children of Bro. Eddie Villanueva, founder and spiritual director of Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church Worldwide, and Adoracion “Dory” Jose-Villanueva.

Villanueva was educated at UST, where he graduated high school and eventually obtained a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree, with a major in economics, in 1996. He likewise completed Harvard University’s Special Studies in Business Administration in 1998. He also received honorary doctorate degrees from various state universities, including a Doctor of Humanities from Polytechnic University of the Philippines (2013), a Doctor of Laws from Bulacan State University (2023), and a Doctor of Education from Tarlac Agricultural University (2025).

Given his family and educational backgrounds, people were no longer surprised that Villanueva inevitably pursued the advocacies of his parents, specifically his father, which are serving the Lord and country and fighting corruption.

CIRCUMSTANCES, CHANGE OF PRIORITIES

Villanueva’s road to his current success as a public servant, however, was not planned, as he also had other dreams he wanted to pursue. “My journey into public service was not something I ever envisioned for myself, but I now believe it is my calling. I believe that our Lord God is shaping us through our experiences, especially during the most painful moments of our lives,” the senator admits. “In my youth, I was deeply involved in sports. I was a varsity player and co-captain of the UST basketball team, even earning a spot as the only UST representative in the 1992 Palarong Pambansa. I played in the UAAP for three years and participated as a member of the RP Youth Team in the inaugural SEABA [Southeast Asia Basketball Association] tournament in Johore, Malaysia. My ultimate dream was to play in the PBA, but after a championship season, I faced the harsh reality of being removed from the team.”

Villanueva carried the lingering pain of seeming rejection when he studied at Harvard in 1996. However, time away from his passion enabled him not only to further sharpen his academic acumen but also to contemplate and assess how he would move on upon his return to the country. “That experience stung deeply, as it felt like I was no longer valued. During my time in Harvard, far from home and feeling lonely at just 20 years old, I sought guidance from the Lord because I’m still hurt, and I promised myself that when I return to the Philippines, I will build my own PBA team. When I came back, it was like a twist of fate, because I was confronted with the pressing social issues in our country,” Villanueva confesses in the face of an evident change in his priorities.

ROAD TO PUBLIC SERVICE

After graduating from Harvard in 1998, Villanueva’s initial foray into public service was, surprisingly, not through any elective or appointive position but through mass media, as Managing Director of ZOE TV 11, the broadcast media arm of JIL. This endeavor provided him with extensive opportunities and exposure to “engage with the socio-political landscape of the country,” especially during EDSA DOS in January 2001. Villanueva proudly recalls, “I was among the first 12 individuals to gather in EDSA, where ZOE TV was the first station to broadcast the events of the second EDSA Revolution live. This experience solidified my commitment to public service and inspired me to enter politics through the Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption [CIBAC] party-list group.” While working at ZOE TV, Villanueva likewise immersed himself completely in the youth movement, drawing inspiration from Paul’s message in 1 Timothy 4:12 [Nobody looks down on him because of his youth; rather, he is a model in speech, in life, in love, and in faith.]. “I became the chairman of Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB), a national youth organization dedicated to promoting strong Christian values among the youth. I also served as the chairman of KKB’s international affiliate, Christian Youth for the Nations (CYN), which encompasses members from various countries around the world,” Villanueva shares, as he particularly emphasizes the crucial role of young people in taking a stand against graft and corruption.

ANTI-GRAFT CRUSADER

Villanueva’s crusade against corruption was extensively carried out through the multi-sectoral organization CIBAC, which was founded in 1997 and eventually made its way to the House of Representatives as a party-list group during the 12th Congress. It has remained in Congress since then, making it the longest-serving party-list group. “At the age of 25, I became the Vice President of CIBAC and later stepped up as President. The victory of CIBAC party-list in the 2001 elections was a testament to the hard work and determination, but to tell you frankly, it was a culture shock for me to find myself in the House of Representatives,” Villanueva admits.

Heading an organization like CIBAC is one thing; representing it as a party-list congressman and utilizing it to formally bring the fight against corruption to Congress is another. And this was what Villanueva endeavored when he became a member of the House of Representatives and earned the title “Benjamin of the House” (as the youngest member) in 2002 during his first term. “I received invaluable mentorship from seasoned politicians. Instead of feeling intimidated by their experience, I actively sought their guidance, eager to learn from their insights. Many became my mentors, helping me navigate the complexities of legislation and governance. Their support not only deepened my understanding of the political landscape but also empowered me to assert my voice and advocate passionately for the issues I cared about,” he shares.

As a three-term congressman serving from 2002 to 2010, Villanueva’s legislative agenda focused on issues closest to his heart, primarily fighting corruption, improving government efficiency, and pushing for freedom of information. In his first term, he was principal author or co-author of 12 laws passed and was even appointed Assistant Majority Floor Leader, enabling him “to further engage in the legislative process.” In his second term, he was the Deputy Minority Leader and championed the passage of Republic Act (RA) No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007. In Villanueva’s last term, he vigorously lobbied for the passage of the Whistleblower Protection Act and Freedom of Access to Information Act, which aim to strengthen the government’s anti-corruption framework. “I likewise expanded my effort against corruption onto the international stage, becoming Secretary General of the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption. This role enabled me to promote good governance and push for critical reforms,” he adds.

For these efforts and his “remarkable contributions to combating corruption and promoting transparency throughout his 23 years of public service," Villanueva was conferred the World Integrity Prize and recognized as a person of sincere anti-corruption integrity by the South Korea-based Anti Corruption Civil Movement General Federation in January 2025.

‘TESDAMAN’ IS THE MAN

After Villanueva completed three terms as a party-list congressman, he was appointed by then President Benigno C. Aquino III as Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), serving from 2010 to 2015. From here, his moniker “TESDAMAN ” was born. And consistent with his calling as an anti-corruption crusader, he immediately buckled down to work and addressed questionable transactions of the agency. “My very first agenda was to cleanse the agency of corruption because scholarship funds went to fly-by night schools and ghost scholars… [and] canceled TESDA’s payables, such as the Php 112-million in questionable procurement contracts,” the senator reveals. Villanueva likewise introduced the slogan, “Sa TESDA, may choice ka,” with the objective of empowering the less privileged through the provision of diverse options to improve their  skills and, eventually, gain employment. His belief in this idea was so strong that he actually enrolled in a TESDA barista training program and earned a National Certification. “This personal commitment underscores my belief in the importance of continuous learning and skills development. In TESDA, I championed innovative approaches to engage more skilled Filipinos, particularly the youth,” Villanueva emphasizes. “My experiences at TESDA have transformed me into a proactive and visionary leader, committed to equipping our workforce for the future and ensuring that graduates land jobs.”

A NEW ARENA: THE SENATE As if the challenges of being a congressman and head of an executive department agency were not enough, Villanueva decided to throw his hat into the Senate ring and won in the 2016 national elections with 18,459,222 votes, earning the second-highest position in the Senate race. He was re-elected in 2022 for a second term.

“My two previous posts [party-list congressman and TESDA director general] greatly influenced my legislative agenda in the Senate because the battle against corruption is far from over. In fact, it has evolved into new forms, influenced by the advancement of technology and an increasingly liberal approach to societal issues that’s gradually opening the doors for divorce, same-sex marriage, comprehensive sexuality education, and online gambling,” Villanueva elaborates. After nearly nine years in the Senate, Villanueva’s work has gone beyond promises, creating a legacy for the nation. During the 17th and 18th Congresses, he played a pivotal role in shepherding over 300 laws, many of which have been recognized for his legislative foresight. Notable among these are the Telecommuting Act (RA 11165), the Tulong Trabaho Act (RA 11230), and the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act (RA 11509). These laws exemplify his commitment to addressing the needs of the post-pandemic society.

His role in the 19th Congress has expanded significantly with his election as Majority Leader (July 25, 2022 - May 24, 2024), empowering him not only to push for his advocacies but also to shape the legislative agenda of the Senate. Villanueva distinguished himself by crafting transformative pieces of legislation through the passage of more than 100 laws aimed at supporting future generations through robust job creation initiatives. His notable legislative achievements include the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act (RA 12063) and the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program Act (RA 12124). Believing in the idea that the government should prioritize programs directly addressing unemployment, specifically by creating sustainable jobs and formulating fair wage policies, he pushed for his campaign promise in 2022, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act (RA 11962). “One of our key legislative efforts is the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, which aims to create an employment masterplan directing all government agencies to come up with an integrated and coordinated response for the rising informality of work, digital and gig economy, and job-skills mismatch,” the senator elaborates. Recently, Villanueva witnessed the launching of the Trabaho para sa Bayan Plan 2025-2034, mandated by RA 11962. This 10-year comprehensive plan provides a long-term normative framework aimed at boosting employment in the country. Its goal is to reduce the unemployment rate of 3.9 percent and underemployment rate of 13.4 percent to 3 percent and 7-9 percent, respectively, by 2034. The senator is also known for enhancing government services through fiscal reforms. He has empowered agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Science and Technology by providing mobile command and control vehicles equipped with advanced communication technology. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor for nearly seven years (July 2016-June 2022; May 2024-present), he has worked tirelessly to support millions of overseas Filipino  workers (OFWs), especially those facing legal, health, psychosocial, and financial quandaries. During the pandemic, he championed and pushed for the creation of a permanent home for OFWs through the Department of Migrant Workers Law (RA 11641). Thanks to this law, OFWs now receive Php1.2 billion annually from the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund and another Php1.26 billion from Assistance to Nationals.

 As one of the commissioners of the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM 2, Senator Villanueva integrates his initiatives into a cohesive strategy for skills development and job generation. He championed the Philippine Qualifications Framework Law (RA 10968) and further strengthened this measure with the Lifelong Learning and Development Framework Bill—two measures designed to create a “supermarket of competencies” or stackable qualifications for Filipinos, As EDCOM 2 commissioner, Senator Villanueva serves as co-chairperson of the Standing Committee on TVET and Lifelong Learning. enhancing their employability in a rapidly changing market.

CONTINUING CHALLENGES, LOOKING FORWARD

Over two decades since Villanueva’s entry into public service, he has encountered numerous challenges in the course of the performance of his duties in various government agencies. “Throughout this journey, I had a profound encounter with the Lord, who comforted me greatly. I felt reassured that I was not alone, and I committed to being a voice for God, reminding myself each day that I was there to represent Him and serve our people,” the senator explains. Despite the thankless nature of his responsibilities, he looks back at his influences that enabled him not only to excel but, more importantly, to devote his life to public service. “So, what influenced me? It’s a combination of personal experiences, divine intervention, and a determination to turn pain into purpose that ultimately led me to enter politics. I am driven by the belief that I can make a meaningful impact in the lives of others, and that is what fuels my commitment to public service.” As Villanueva prepares for the last three years of his second term as a senator, he is currently in a reflective mode regarding all the events that have transpired related to his chosen path.

 “This is my second and last term as a senator, and I do reflect on my journey as your ‘empleyado sa Senado.’ The losses in my family during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly my Mommy Dory and sister Joni, have led me to contemplate retirement from politics. Over the past nine years, we’ve worked hard to pass more than 400 laws, which I’m proud of, but I don’t see myself growing old in government,” Villanueva admits.

He reiterates that pursuing a higher office is a calling and something guided by Divine Providence. However, as the Bulakenyo senator turns 50 this year, he is also looking forward to “fulfilling my dream of becoming a full-time pastor. That’s my ultimate dream, and I’m excited about the possibility of also serving in that capacity in the future.” Indeed, from the glamorous and exciting world of basketball to the challenging but more fulfilling field of public service, Senator Joel Villanueva will be the first to tell everyone that his journey, despite all the pressures, hassles, and problems he constantly encounters, is worth continuing to serve his country, countrymen, and the Lord to the best of his abilities.