Getting to Know Senator Manny Villar
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell
Disclosure on Political Affiliations: I do not work for Senator Manny Villar or any other politician. I was only aware of his friendship with Senator Alan Cayetano through my husband when he told me a day before the interview. Ties with Senator Pia Cayetano and Senator Alan Cayetano date back even before they became senators. Former President Fidel V. Ramos is a family friend due to ties from my father-in-law. I used to be a student activist in my UP Diliman days. My political views range from conservative to liberal. I don’t have plans to run for public office. Meeting with politicians and writing about their programs is part of my current plans for this blog till 2010. Any endorsements (if any) will be made just a few weeks before Elections 2010.
I have always been curious why Senator Manny Villar ranks high in most Presidentiable polls. There must be something he did that made him quite popular with the masses. My helper told me that he is known to help her “kababayan” way down south. Really? All I know about Manny Villar is that he is a successful real estate business man and associated with that C5 mess. Yesterday, I asked my husband what questions to ask Senator Manny Villar. Butch said “ask him about the corruption charges with regards to C5″ and added “oh and they are good friends with Alan Cayetano”.
The opportunity came today when a few bloggers had an intimate interview with Senator Villar at Bo’s Coffee Shop. Present were a few of his staff and his two sons, Paolo, Mark and his daughter, Camille. I thought it quite unusual that he brought his three children and was quite charmed by their humility. No airs at all.
What were the points that struck me in the more than 3 hours conversation?
1. I am not privy to the facts on the C5 corruption but he claims the charges are untrue. He gives the real score on C5 which I will let you judge for yourself. (see his explanation below and the video interview). Even after a year, there is still no evidence of corruption. He never got the money. If ever, the DPWH should be held accountable.
2. I think he should be more supportive of the Reproductive Health Bill even if they are Catholic Couples for Christ. Being a Catholic is a personal choice but as a potential leader, he should be able to dissociate his political and religious beliefs. Besides, the country is not composed of the Catholic faith alone.
3. Like all the other political ads I see on TV, I find them just so sickening and self-serving. I know it is all a marketing strategy. Senator Villar claims that the stories in the ads are all true and the funds come from his pocket. Of course he sets priorities on the beneficiaries. He needs to place ads because he is at a disadvantage compared to other presidentiables that have some “media celebrity” status. Hm. let’s see Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Mar Roxas and his fiancee,, Vice President Noli de Castro Chiz Escudero because of FPJ, (edited to correct the fiancee part)
4. I believe him when he says that the country should be ruled by someone with experience in managing people. Senator Villar says he has the experience of being a leader in his own business, the Senate and the Congress.
5. I also support his advocacy on Entrepreneurship which he will launch simultaneously in all sectors of society whether he is a President or not. Apparently, media does not really cover his interest in entrepreneurship. Like Senator Villar, I believe that entrepreneurship values should be encouraged in our society so we can be self-sufficient and stimulate economic growth.
Of course that advocacy remains to be seen. During the photo opportunity, I told Senator Villar that if he becomes President of our country, I will show this photo and remind him of his promises.
And he reassured me “Don’t worry, I will pursue Entrepreneurship even if I am not President” and then thanked me for bringing up the topic of his cause on the small and medium-sized enterprises. I later found out that he authored and passed into law the landmark New Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises (RA 8289) and initiated creative legislation such as the establishment of the Small and Medium Enterprises Stock Exchange and Business One-Stop-Shop centers, the latter he immediately implemented in Las Piñas City with the help of local officials.
It was an enlightening chit-chat. I have more to say but that will come once I’ve talked to all the Presidentiables.
Read more from other bloggers who attended:
The Real Score of C5
Judge for yourself
C5 the Real Score
This is about me ( a 
“Vice President Noli de Castro and his fiancee” You must mean Sen Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez right?
Anyways, it’s really not surprising to know that he paid for those ads with his own money. After all, he is included in the top 20 richest persons in the country.
The wisest thing he did with regards to the C5 corruption mess was not attending any of those so-called hearings on the ethics complaint against him in the Senate. If Madrigal were really serious and had compelling evidence, she should have gone to court instead. But we all know that was just for the other senators to grandstand and gain more media exposure at the expense of public funds.
I’m not a full supporter of Villar though. At present I remain indifferent to him and that’s just about it.
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Oops that was an error. I also got to know Villar just yesterday. So far, I like him. He seems warm. That is just my first impression though.
very nice article. i think your article is really unbiased. buti na lang you asked these questions to him. Seriously speaking, I think Villar is very capable of leading our country. Maganda ang experiences niya. Compared to other presidentiables, napaka simple niya magsalita. very direct to the point. Hindi ka bobolahin at papaikutin. Though there are times that he does not appeal well to the media and to some viewers- I mean, I think he has a boring personality. But I’d take his personality compared to the cunning, well spoken, forever rich, plastic candidates.
As of now, he has my vote. But I am part of INC, so I dont get to choose who I am voting. hehehe
I want to be unbiased just now. I really don’t know the presidentiables enough or read enough to make conclusions. I like him though. He made a good first impression.
“I believe him when he says that the country should be ruled by someone with experience in managing people. Senator Villar says he has the experience of being a leader in his own business, the Senate and the Congress.”
Of course the country must be ruled by someone who knows how to manage people. But the problem lies in the fact that most of the presidentiables, like Manny, are good in managing people. Some of them, like Manny, had been leaders in their respective businesses; sat in House and in Senate.
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he does appear to be nice in these interviews one reason i am iffy about him is his anti-obscenity bill
this thing probably began with good intentions but ended up becoming a badly written bill.
there is a clause that bans what they term offensive material (ex: depictions of sexual acts, showing nude human bodies) regardless of the motive of the author. again, regardless of the motive.
this will basically render medical books that show human anatomy bannable material. amorsolo’s nude paintings, again, bannable material.
john silva explains the point best:
http://johnsilva.blogspot.com/search/label/pornography%20obscenity%20philippines%20amorsolo%20consitution
from what i understood, nothing came out of that bill. I don’t think it will push through
Very informative post regarding Sen Villar. Kailangan talaga ang kritikal na pag-iisip para sa kapakanan ng bayan.
it’s the first time I got his side on the C5 fiasco.
Being a successful businessman, a lawyer too, I think, and a long-time politician, he’s in the position to explain everything satisfactorily.
He is a CPA . I don’t think he is a lawyer though. He studied in UP Diliman
doesn’t matter what kind of educations people had, education not much help for a successful people. we’re looking for a true Filipino who can lead and stand for the faith of poor people.
Villar is really thick-faced. This guy wants to be president? He will never have my vote. I will also blog about how shitty he is. I hate politicians. They are all liars.
As to mar Roxas, he’s as bad as Villar, pareho lng silang makakapal ang mukha. Sarap paguntogin mga ulo nila.
@kigwa- if you hate politicians, may I know your suggestions?
i heard he’s no. 1 in the provinces and that, he treats his workers well. he has potentials to be a good president. i’m still undecided, though.
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I met this man at a financial planning forum organized by RFP Philippiens at his Mandaluyong mansion. So far, I think he is the best Presidential candidate so far since he supports entrepreneurship and he’s into real estate. I like what he does in the real estate industry.
However, he is not yet at par with my standards of what ought to be a President. I think that this man thinks that the prosperity of this nation hinges on having a just leader when that is not really sufficient.
Suppose Jesus Christ were our President. I don’t think He is capable of changing things over night. The same could be said with Manny Villar, as well as other Presidential candidates for that matter.
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(4. I believe him when he says that the country should be ruled by someone with experience in managing people. Senator Villar says he has the experience of being a leader in his own business, the Senate and the Congress.)
You may want to dig a li’l more deeper about his business. Try to focus more on the sentiments of the people who have actually suffered from his “business” and then visualize it on a more larger scale
“Don’t worry, I will pursue Entrepreneurship even if I am not President” and then thanked me for bringing up the topic of his cause on the small and medium-sized enterprises. I later found out that he authored and passed into law the landmark New Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises (RA 8289) and initiated creative legislation such as the establishment of the Small and Medium Enterprises Stock Exchange and Business One-Stop-Shop centers”
among the presidentiables we have right now, manny villar seems to be the most business savvy. and that’s a good thing, right? he’s appealing to the middle class pinoys who are likely to benefit first from his livelihood programs. i just don’t know if everyone shares this sentiment. as for me, i’m still not committed. posts like this really help us undecided voters.
Manny Villiar was one of my favorite politician,since when he was in congress and now in senate I admire him for the things he have done.but I was shock when he got involved at C5 extention. That’s why I got puzzeled if what was the truth about that project.
This is my challenge to Sen. Villar, to make a study on this and try to make this as his pilot project if he’s really sincere to help the Filipino People and our Country. Make this as his platform of governance. Seriously if Sen. Villar can do this, then we’ll all have a very bright future ahead of us. Strengthening our economy by starting up from the very BASIC and we’ll see that it will lead us to SUCCESS. We are an AQUA-AGRI-INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRY. SO NO DOUBTS WE CAN’T DO THIS!
I WANT TO BECOME A SENATOR/PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES TOO.
Do you want to ask why? Please read and evaluate.
It is because I have not seen anybody from our current leaders the sense of sincerity, the heart and the will to really alleviate the life of every Filipinos. They have no REAL CONCERN to their people and what they’re after of was for the benefit of their businesses and personal agenda and gain. For all we know a good leader should and must be a leader that CARE and would WORK for the WELFARE of HIS/HER PEOPLE and COUNTRYMEN not for his personal gain and of his allies. I would only believe and choose a LEADER that a really cares and love his people and would rather convey with my PLATFORM OF GOVERNANCE in which I strongly believe the Filipino People does really need. Though this is not done in detailed but we can improve this and make a study. Here are some of my thoughts which I think our country need to implement.
I. RE-ASSESSMENT/RE-INVENTORY OF ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OFFICES. Why?
• To established reform and focus for more effective governance.
• To avoid redundancy of duties and responsibilities.
• To minimize pointing out of fingers when certain issues arises.
II. RE-ASSESSMENT/ RE-INVENTORY OF LANDS AND ITS USE (BOTH PUBLIC/PRIVATE). Why?
• To established proper accounting of our land use and allocations.
• To develop “ONE PROVINCE, ONE PRODUCT IDENTITY”.
• To ensure proper allocation/division of lands to landless and farmers who can manage and knows how to cultivate that land.
III. EMPLOYMENT. How and Why?
• Upon dividing our lands to fit people and after testing what suited to it then will assign it by Province for implementation.
• Then we’ll invite investors from both local and foreign to invest or maybe put a factory, plant or industries that will benefit our raw materials/supplies.
• Then we can create jobs, business and employments
IV. FOOD SECURITY. How?
• After division of the lands for use and develop it will follow that we will have a harvest and that would result for abundance supply of food to feed our mouth, our people and of course the opportunity to export products out of it.
V. EDUCATION. How?
• As we develop areas thru investors, it is of course necessary that they will build schools and amenities in the community for their employees and their families.
VI. HEALTH. How?
• Same as education, it is should be a law that once investors will come in and invest. Healthcare services like hospitals and clinics should be jointly build and operated by our government and our investors. And it should be free for all.
By doing all of this, everything will follow. Tourism, education, health, farm to market road, employment, industrialization, peace and order, food security and GDP and GNP will also goes up etc… We are not just aware of this because we only focused on how to get easy MONEY and KICKBACKS that is why we don’t dare to evaluate our natural resources and how it can be very USEFUL TO US and to our people.
The SECRET for a SUCCESSFUL COUNTRY does not depend only on how rich, popular and powerful a LEADER can be but ON HOW A LEADER CARE, LOVE and IN VISION HIS COUNTRY AND HIS PEOPLE.
So, I challenge my countrymen that we will watch and guard our BALLOTS until we have chosen the right and effective leader to LEAD our country to PROSPERITYand PROGRESS. Let’s not be HUNGER and GET SATISFIED for A KILO OF RICE AND A HANG BAG OF GROCERIES for in RETURN, A LIFETIME SUFFERINGS AND MISERIES for us ALL. That’s why I’m CHALLENGING ALL THE ASPIRING LEADERS/POLITICIAN OF OUR COUNTRY THAT IF THEY’RE REALLY SINCERE TO SERVE AND PROTECT OUR COUNTRY AND COUNTRYMEN THEN MAKE MY PROPOSALS A LAW AND HAVE IT IMPLEMENTED. Let’s stop doing publicities coz it’s not we are looking for BUT A DREAM TO COME TRUE FOR OUR PEOPLE AND OUR COUNTRY. TO BECOME A SOVEREIGN STATE. HOW? LET’S WORK IT OUT STARING NOW. Thank you and GOD BLESS PHILIPPINES. Engr. Rey D. Burgos
i am a senior student in up diliman. i, too, am a center-right activist.. i have been actively participating in activities or events that will help me to get to know the candidates better. though to be honest, if i were to vote today, i’d go for noynoy without batting an eyelash. i think because it feels like it is the right thing to do. like what they say, it’s gonna be good vs evil as in the people vs the administration.
your entry sounds fair and i find it really informative. however, i could not avoid questioning villar’s intentions. i mean why would someone want the presidency so much that he will go to the extents of spending hundreds of millions for campaign ads as early as now? when we all know how much money the president earns.. he can’t tell me that it is pure love for the country??!! i mean, seriously???
Fake BIR papers used to overvalue Villar properties: lawyer
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/17/09/fake-bir-papers-used-overvalue-villar-properties-lawyer
In an interview over dzMM’s Tambalang Failon at Sanchez, Atty. Ernesto Francisco said Adelfa Properties and other companies owned by Villar used fake or tampered BIR certifications to overvalue several properties that would be affected by the C-5 road extension project. He said the certifications were submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directly benefited companies owned by Villar.
“There was a pattern, a modus operandi in order to sell the property to the government for a higher price. If the value of the land was worth only P7 million at 4,500 per square meter, the company would produce a BIR certification that the value of the land is really P30,000 per square meter and was actually worth P48 million,” he said.