Cynthia Villar
Cynthia Aguilar Villar | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cynthia Ampaya Aguilar July 29, 1950 Muntinlupa, Rizal, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Known for | Senator of the Philippines (2013–2025), Representative of Las Piñas (2001–2010) |
Cynthia Aguilar Villar (, born Cynthia Ampaya Aguilar on July 29, 1950) is a prominent Filipino politician and entrepreneur who held a seat in the Senate from 2013 until 2025. Prior to her tenure in the Senate, she represented the Lone District of Las Piñas in the House of Representatives between 2001 and 2010. In the 2013 senatorial race, Villar secured her position by ranking tenth. She successfully retained her Senate seat in the 2019 elections, achieving at that time the highest vote count ever recorded for a senator, a record later exceeded in 2022.
Throughout her legislative career, Villar was consistently acknowledged as the wealthiest member within both legislative chambers.[1]
Early life and education
Born on July 29, 1950, in Muntinlupa, then part of Rizal, Cynthia is the daughter of Filemón Aguilar, who previously served as mayor of Las Piñas and congressman, and Lydia Ampaya. Her brother Vergel Aguilar also held the mayoral office in Las Piñas.
She completed her primary education at Muntinlupa Elementary School in 1962 and graduated from high school at Philippine Christian University in 1966. Villar earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from University of the Philippines Diliman in 1970, where she met her future husband, Senator Manny Villar. She furthered her studies by obtaining an MBA from New York University in 1972.
In recognition of her achievements, she was awarded the Most Distinguished Alumni honor by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in 2017.
Business career
Before marrying Manny Villar in 1975, she was employed as a financial analyst at Philippine Shares Corporation and also served as an instructor at Far Eastern University. Following their marriage, she supported her husband’s business initiatives and occupied executive positions such as director and vice president at Household Finance Corporation. She subsequently took on leadership roles at Capitol Development Bank, acting as treasurer from 1989 to 1990 and president from 1990 to 1998.
In 1992, she established the Villar Foundation and currently holds the position of managing director.
When Manny Villar assumed the role of Speaker in 1998, Cynthia chaired the Congressional Spouses Foundation until 2000.
Political career
Villar was elected as Representative for the Lone District of Las Piñas in 2001 and served until 2010.
During her husband's term as Senate President from 2006 to 2008, she led the Senate Spouses Foundation.
In 2008, both Cynthia and Manny Villar faced plunder accusations related to a 1998 transaction with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; however, these charges were dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2010.
Running under President Benigno Aquino III's coalition in 2013, she secured a Senate seat by finishing tenth.
She voiced opposition to the detention of senators involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund controversy in 2014.
By 2015, with assets nearing ₱2 billion, Villar was recognized as the wealthiest senator; by 2016, her net worth had grown by approximately 76%.
Her son, Mark Villar, was appointed Secretary of Public Works and Highways by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016. Cynthia supported Duterte’s contentious anti-drug campaign and voted affirmatively on significant legislation including the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (2017), which contributed to inflation and increased prices for goods. She also opposed Senate resolutions that rejected Duterte’s policies such as treaty withdrawals and decisions regarding Ferdinand Marcos's burial.
In subsequent years, Villar promoted government policies such as banning unlimited rice servings ('unli-rice') and took positions on matters including extending martial law in Mindanao, opposing same-sex marriage, and addressing environmental issues connected to Boracay developments associated with her family’s property interests.
She filed for re-election in 2019 with Duterte’s endorsement and emerged as the top vote-getter with over 25 million votes.
On March 26, 2024, she received a Human Rights Award from the United Nations Association of the Philippines for her contributions to poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability.
Term-limited from continuing her Senate service, Villar sought to reclaim her former position as Las Piñas representative in 2025 but was defeated by councilor Mark Anthony Santos, ending her family’s three-decade representation of that district.
Regarding nurses
In a 2013 senatorial forum, Villar, who was then the chairperson of the House Committee on Higher Education, opposed the shutdown of nursing schools that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) had identified as failing standards due to the absence of necessary tertiary hospital facilities for training. While she advocated for students to continue their studies, she controversially claimed that completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing was not essential for many nurses, as numerous graduates pursue roles as room nurses or caregivers overseas without requiring advanced qualifications. This remark provoked significant criticism, prompting Villar to issue a public apology to Filipino nurses and their families.
Concerning corn research
During the 2020 budget discussions for the Department of Agriculture, Villar questioned the allocation of ₱150 million designated for research under the National Corn Program, expressing doubts about its direct benefits to farmers. She asked, "Why is the entire budget devoted to research? What tangible outcomes will research provide? Do farmers prefer research or direct assistance?" This stance attracted negative feedback from media outlets and agricultural specialists. Subsequently, Villar clarified that her intention was to advocate for a more balanced distribution of funds rather than oppose research funding outright.
On doctors amid the COVID-19 crisis
On August 1, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Villar encountered criticism after a group of physicians called on the government to reinstate enhanced community quarantine measures in the National Capital Region due to escalating case numbers. When questioned about her position, she responded, "Hindi na siguro. Pagbutihan nila trabaho nila. (Maybe not. They should simply improve their work performance.)" This comment ignited a social media backlash and led to calls for boycotting her family’s enterprises, such as Camella residential developments and Vista Malls retail centers.
She later explained that her statement was directed at government employees, including herself.
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