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.

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.As a young boy, he helped his mother sell fish and shrimp in Divisoria to help earn money to pay for his education.

Villar finished his elementary 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.

There have been reports that Villar was not raised in Moriones, Tondo but was actually adopted by the Jalandoni clan of Nueva Ecija, known for their massive land holdings in various provinces in Central Luzon. When Villar reached legal age, the patriarch of the clan bestowed 400 hectares of land under his name. To this date, this land property in Licab, Nueva Ecija is under the direct name of Manny Villar.

Business career

In 1975, with an initial capital of P10,000, Villar purchased two reconditioned trucks and started a business dealing with sand and gravel.

Villar was able to expand his business interests and pioneered the practice of selling house and lot packages after marrying the daughter of politically power and rich scion, the Aguilars, in Las Pinas City, when the common practice at the time was to merely sell the land and leave the buyers to build the houses. Through his wife’s wealth, He eventually became a leader in the housing industry, having built and sold more than 100,000 homes.

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). In 1998, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives. 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.  However, in November 2008, he resigned the position due to a lack of support in the Senate, and was succeeded by Juan Ponce Enrile.

Presidential campaign
Manny Villar Proclamation Rally.

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.”[7][8] On September 4, 2008, Villar formally declared and confirmed his presidential candidacy.

Villar led in the first runs of both the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia surveys. But his continued outpouring of money to various communities and his massive spending on television and radio ads have led to his demise in the rankings. A majority of the population has deemed Villar as a corrupt presidential candidate who will only plunder and pillage the nation once he wins in the coming May 10, 2010 national elections.

Personal life

Villar is married to Cynthia A. Villar. They have three children, Paolo, Mark, and Camille.

In a recent interview, Camille Villar admits that her father has many shortcomings through the years and has caused his offspring to drift apart.

source: wikipedia

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