Joel Villanueva
Joel Villanueva | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Official portrait, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senate Deputy Minority Leader | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office September 9, 2025 Serving with Rodante Marcoleta | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader | Alan Peter Cayetano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Juan Miguel Zubiri | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senate Majority Leader | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office July 28, 2025 – September 8, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | JV Ejercito Rodante Marcoleta | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Francis Tolentino | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Juan Miguel Zubiri | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 House of Representatives for CIBAC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office February 6, 2002 – June 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva August 2, 1975 Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | Independent (2013–2015; 2019–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (2015–2019) Bangon (2004–2013) CIBAC (2001–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Gladys Cruz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parents |
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| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas (BS) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basketball career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College | UST | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Congress-LGU Legislators | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| c. 2014 | Malacañang Patriots | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016-present | Senate Defenders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Emmanuel Joel Jose Villanueva (/vɪljɑːnuːwɛbɑː/, born August 2, 1975), nicknamed "Tesdaman", is a Filipino politician and pastor 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 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.