Who is Manny Villar?

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Manuel "Manny" Bamba Villar, Jr. (born December 13, 1949) is a Filipino businessman and politician. He is the President of the Nacionalista Party and a member of the Senate of the Philippines.

Villar was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2000—in which capacity he presided over the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada—as well as President of the Senate from 2006 to 2008.He assumed the Senate presidency at the beginning of the Third Regular Session of the 13th Congress, as part of a power-sharing agreement with his predecessor Sen. Franklin Drilon. On November 17, 2008, he resigned his senate presidency due to lack of support in the Senate.

Villar is the wealthiest senator in the Philippines with a net worth of P1.04 billion (US$22 million) as of 2008.[1]

Early life

Manuel Villar Jr. was born on December 13, 1949 in Tondo, a densely populated district of Manila. He was the second of nine children of Manuel Villar Sr., a government employee, and Curita Bamba, a seafood dealer.[citation needed] As a young boy, he helped his mother sell fish and shrimp in Divisoria to help earn money to pay for his education.[citation needed]

Villar finished his education at Holy Child Catholic School in 1962, and finished his high school education at Mapua Institute of Technology in 1966. He attended the University of the Philippines - Diliman and earned his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1970. He returned to the same school to earn his master's degree in business administration in 1973.[2]

Political career

House of Representatives

Villar entered politics in 1992, and was elected to the House of Representatives, representing the district of Las Piñas-Muntinlupa (and later the district of Las Piñas City).[3] In 1998, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives.[3] As speaker, he presided over the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada by the House of Representatives.

Senate

Villar was elected to the Senate in 2001. At the start of legislative sessions, he was chosen as Senate President Pro Tempore, a position he held until 2003.

Villar won reelection to the Senate in 2007. At the start of legislative sessions he was chosen Senate President, defeating Aquilino Pimentel by a vote of 15–7.[4] However, in November 2008, he resigned the position due to a lack of support in the Senate, and was succeeded by Juan Ponce Enrile.[5]

Presidential campaign

On June 6, 2008, Villar announced that he is 99% joining the Philippine general election, 2010 (one percent, is on the possibility of no election), amid his nomination of the Nacionalista Party (NP), chaired by him. Villar stated that: "We are prepared to have alliance with other political parties."[6][7] On September 4, 2008, Villar formally declared and confirmed his presidential candidacy.[8][9]