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'TESDAman' brand fuels Villanueva surge in Senate race

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Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/abs-cbnnews/a_images/thumbnails/20151009-villanueva-1.jpg"/></figure></div>MANILA – Former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief Joel Villanueva is still on cloud nine over his surprise ascent to the top of the Senate race.&#x27;&#x27;I was the happiest person last night,&#x27;&#x27; said Villanueva, whose sister Joni won as Bocaue, Bulacan mayor via a <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/regions/05/10/16/coin-toss-settles-mayoral-race-in-bulacan">coin toss</a> tie-breaker.&#x27;&#x27;I actually did not sleep the whole night for my sister, praying, coordinating and asking how she&#x27;s doing and all that.&quot;Villanueva, who was in the lower half of the so-called Magic 12 in the last pre-election survey, believes his messaging and his accomplishments at TESDA catapulted him to the top.&#x27;&#x27;Definitely it is because of the messaging and track record I left behind. With TESDA you are talking about 9 million graduates, and from 28% employment we brought it up to 72%,&#x27;&#x27; he said.&#x27;&#x27;I stick to one message which is job creation and importance of having jobs.&quot;Villanueva said job security is a key issue for a large chunk of voters, which is why believes his platform resonated with many Filipinos.&#x27;&#x27;In all areas and all aspects of issues we are facing, you can be sure that jobs will always be there. If you talk about peace and order, if you have jobs walang masyadong tambay and criminal acts will be lessened,&#x27;&#x27; he said.&#x27;&#x27;If you talk about health, if you have jobs then it&#x27;s easier to buy medicines or vitamins na magpe-prevent you from getting sick. These are core messages that I embraced.&quot;Political science professor Richard Heydarian agrees with Villanueva, saying employment and job security are primary concerns for Filipinos.He added that Villanueva&#x27;s presentation of himself as &#x27;&#x27;TESDAMan&#x27;&#x27; was well received by the people.&#x27;&#x27;Iyung TESDAman, ang pinag-uusapan dito ay trabaho, at kung titingnan mo ang mga commercials ni Mr. Villanueva sa bandang dulo ng race, napaka-effective,&#x27;&#x27; Heydarian said.&#x27;&#x27;Yes, affiliated siya sa Daang Matuwid or Liberal Party pero ang mas in-emphasize niya parati ay yung ginawa niyang trabaho in terms of providing vocation and training sa simpleng tao.&quot;Heydarian also noted that Villanueva&#x27;s TESDAman branding is reminiscent of Mar Roxas&#x27; &#x27;&#x27;Mr. Palengke&quot; image when he was head of the Department of Trade and Industry.&#x27;&#x27;Nung 2004 nung tumakbo si Mar Roxas, iyung Mr. Palengke bentang benta siya. Kasi similar yung issue na pinag-usapan dyan - ang issue ng provision of employment at business and economic development,&#x27;&#x27; he said.Villanueva stayed on top of the Senate rankings for most of Monday, when the vote counts started to come out of the transparency server of the Commission on Elections.The former TESDA chief has since been overtaken by Senate President Franklin Drilon.Now that he is already assured of a Senate seat, Villanueva said he will work on ensuring that more Filipinos will land jobs.&#x27;&#x27;My goal is very clear -- to create more jobs, give more jobs and help people land jobs,&#x27;&#x27; he said.

LIKE MR. PALENGKE: Former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief Joel Villanueva is still on cloud nine over his surprise ascent to the top of the senatorial race.

'TESDAman' brand fuels Villanueva surge in Senate race

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'TESDAman' brand fuels Villanueva surge in Senate race

Dharel Placido,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 10, 2016 08:25 PM PHT

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