Mark Villar
Mark Aguilar Villar (born August 14, 1978) is a Filipino politician and businessman currently serving as the Secretary of Public Works and Highways of the Philippines. He is the son of former Senate President and 2010 presidential candidate Manny Villar and incumbent Senator Cynthia Villar. He served as the Representative of Las Piñas in the Philippine House of Representatives and has also previously held executive positions in his family's real estate businesses. A member of the Nacionalista Party, Villar was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to join his Cabinet on May 17, 2016 and assumed office upon his resignation from Congress on August 1, 2016 replacing Rafael Yabut.[2][3]
Mark Villar | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait as DPWH Secretary | |
| Secretary of Public Works and Highways | |
| Assumed office August 1, 2016 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Rafael Yabut (acting) |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Las Piñas' Lone District | |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Cynthia Villar |
| Succeeded by | Emmeline Aglipay-Villar (caretaker representative) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mark Aguilar Villar August 14, 1978[1] Las Piñas, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Nacionalista |
| Spouse(s) | Emmeline Yan Aglipay |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents | Manuel Villar Cynthia Villar |
| Residence | Las Piñas, Metro Manila |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania University of Chicago |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Profession | Politician |
Early life
Villar was born on August 14, 1978 to real estate tycoon and politician Manny Villar and his wife, Senator Cynthia Villar. He is the second of three children, with an older brother, Manuel Paolo, and younger sister, Camille Linda. He attended the International School Manila in Makati, Metro Manila before moving to the United States to pursue higher education.[4] He earned his bachelor's degree in Economics, Political Science and Philosophy from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He also finished his master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.[2]
On his return to the Philippines, he worked for 10 years in the family's real estate business. He was President of Crown Asia Corporation before becoming managing director of Vista Land & Lifescapes.[4]
Political career
Villar was first elected to public office in 2010 as congressman of the lone district of Las Piñas, succeeding his mother, Cynthia Villar, a three-term representative who later became senator. During his term, he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Industry, as well as Vice Chairman of the House Committees on Overseas Workers Affairs, Labor and Employment, and Science and Technology.[2]
As a member of the 15th and 16th Congress, he authored several bills on education, health and livelihood, including the Negosyo Act promoting micro finance and the Lemon Law protecting buyers of motor vehicles. He was also one of the proponents of the Co-Loading Act which opened domestic transport and shipping to foreign vessels.[2]
Villar ran for a third term during the 2016 elections and won. A special election was held to replace Villar who joined the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte on August 1, 2016.[5] Pending the special election to be held in Las Piñas to fill in Villar's seat in the lower house, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has designated his wife, Emmeline Aglipay Villar, as interim representative.[3]
Emmeline Aglipay Villar became an undersecretary of the Department of Justice and was part of the team that reviewed the water concession agreements of Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water.[6]
Personal life
Villar is married to a fellow lawmaker, Department of Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Yan Aglipay. They have a daughter, Emma Therese.[7]
On July 15, 2020, Villar tested positive for COVID-19.[8] He was able to recover from the disease.[9]
References
- "Villar, Mark A." Politiko. Archived from the original on December 19, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- "Villar son accepts public works portfolio". ABS-CBN News. May 17, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- Cayabyab, M.J. (August 2, 2016). "Villar resigns as Las Piñas rep, takes on DPWH post". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- Vasquez, D.C. (June 14, 2014). "Born into it". The Standard. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- Depasupil, W. (May 20, 2016). "Comelec to conduct Las Piñas special polls". The Manila Times. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/12/19/justice-chief-denies-conflict-of-interest-in-water-concession-review
- Pizarro, S. (June 3, 2016). "Cong. Mark Villar focuses on family". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- "DPWH chief and isolation czar Mark Villar tests positive from COVID-19". CNN Philippines. July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- Fernandez, Yvette (August 14, 2020). "Mark Villar Celebrates His Birthday After Recovering from COVID-19". Esquire Magazine.
| House of Representatives of the Philippines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Cynthia Villar |
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Las Piñas' Lone District 2010–2016 |
Succeeded by Emmeline Aglipay-Villar "Caretaker" representative |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Rafael Yabut Acting |
Secretary of Public Works and Highways 2016–present |
Incumbent |
| Order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by William Dar as Secretary of Agriculture |
Order of Precedence of the Philippines as Secretary of Public Works and Highways |
Succeeded by Leonor Briones as Secretary of Education |