By Lily O Ramos
MANILA, Aug. 3 (PNA)– Encouraged by the endless barrage of praises he has been receiving as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary and Director General Joel Villanueva is now sure of his goal before the 2016 national elections.
”I am now 90 per cent sure of my readiness to go for a higher goal—that of becoming a Senator if I get chosen to be a candidate,” said Villanueva during TESDA’s Monday signing with a memorandum of agreement (MOA)with the National Federation of Cooperatives of Persons with Disability (NFCPWD) at the Agency’s headquarters in Taguig City.
“Many people have been asking me to run for a higher position so that I can continue what I have done for TESDA which necessarily means jobs and economic improvement for the country as a whole,” said Villanueva who was also celebrating his birthday.
Has he been approached by political parties to join them in their respective lineps? “Yes, of course, even Vice president Binay approached me long before the start of the year but I told him I wanted to wrapup my job first before making a decision.”
”Some people might mistake me for boasting but I did and am still receiving feelers which I have neither accepted nor rejected. But given the choice, if President Aquino tells me to run under Liberal Party, I will gladly accept,” he said.
What is even touching is two presidential candidates asked him to stay on his present post, whoever wins the election come 2016
”It’s so touching to know that people whom I have not known so well want me to serve under them if I do not make it to the Senate.
“Just in case I would be unlucky, indeed, I would love to continue my work in helping people get their best job and raise their consciousness from poverty to a better life.”
Villanueva said he has not yet heard of the President’s choice on presidential timbre Mar Roxas’ running mate but his circle had come abuzz with the possibility of Senator Allan Peter Cayetano, Grace Poe, Chiz Escudero and Vilma Santos.
The Liberal Party’s Senate slate will come later although Bicol stalwart said that six of those being eyed are from showbiz, excluding GMA Primetime King Dingdong Dantes who refused to be drawn to politics.
Speaking about his achievement as overachieving TESDA chief, Secretary Villanueva said as far as he can remember, he was able to forge 585 partnerships with different private institutions, government offices and foreign governments such as Germany, France, Korea and Japan for training, skills enhancement and job placements here and abroad.
This is the highest figure TESDA cooperative partnership ever produced since its establishment in 1985 and the number is still increasing.
”In my five years as TESDA chief many private and public institutions have come forward to help us for better job education because of trust and proof that I was walking my talk. From 28 per cent jobs in 2010, we now have logged 70 per cent this year –with more addition in the coming months.”
His father, Bro Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) movement said whatever his son decides for his future is his own but with prayerful direction.
Certainly, he said Joel should fare better in politics than him who failed to win the presidency in 2010 where President Aquino emerged victorious.
The elder Villanueva shook hands with everybody in the TESDA headquarters mess hall in Taguig City and blessed everyone with a smile.(PNA)