Win Gatchalian is a businessman and politician who is currently serving his first term as senator. He is also the chairman of the Senate committees on basic education and energy.
Win Gatchalian previously served as the representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela City from 2001 to 2004 and from 2013 to 2016. In between those stints in the lower chamber, he was the mayor of the same city from 2004 to 2013.
He has principally authored at least 12 laws, including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Act, the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute Act, the Alternative Learning System Act, the Microgrid Systems Act and the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act.
Win Gatchalian is campaigning on providing quality education for all students, raising the salaries for teachers, addressing energy sector concerns such as lowering the cost of electricity, reducing dependency on imported oil and improving the Pantawid Pasada program to help drivers cope with oil price hikes.
He has expressed support for, restoring the death penalty, mandatory vaccination, passing the anti-endo bill, an anti-balimbing bill, and a bill banning political dynasties, although he admitted in May 2019 that passing the latter measure may be difficult given the composition of Congress.
He supports the Duterte administration’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs, hailing it as an effective deterrent to drug-related crimes and activities in the country. He opposes same-sex marriage, shifting the system of government to federalism, and did not sign the Senate committee report approving the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Equality Bill. The SOGIE or anti-discrimination bill remains pending in the Senate to this day.
Despite his avowed support for an anti-political dynasty bill, Gatchalian is an integral part of a powerful political clan. His brothers Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian, the incumbent mayor of Valenzuela, and Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian, the incumbent representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela City are looking to swap posts in the 2022 polls as they are both term-limited from seeking reelection.
In support of another formidable political clan, Gatchalian initially pitched himself as a running-mate to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the incumbent president’s daughter, in August 2021 when she was leading presidential surveys. However, when Duterte made clear that she would not be running for president, Gatchalian decided to run for reelection. He has been included in the senatorial slate of the UniTeam alliance of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator, and Sara Duterte.
“Talagang itong pandemyang ito ay maraming problema at krisis na naidulot, isa na dito ang krisis sa edukasyon. Pangalawa, krisis sa ekonomiya. At ‘yun ‘yung aking bibigyan ng atensyon at solusyon sa mga darating na pagkakataon kung tayo ay papayagang muli na maglingkod sa Senado.”
SHERWIN “WIN” TING GATCHALIAN
Full Name: Sherwin Ting Gatchalian
Nickname: Win
Birthday: April 6, 1974 (Age 50)
Birthplace: City of Manila, Metro Manila
Residence: Valenzuela City, Metro Manila
Religion: Christian
Languages Spoken: Filipino, English
Parents:
– William Gatchalian, father, businessman and head of the Wellex Group
– Dee Hua Ting, mother, pastor and chairperson of the Jesus our Life Ministries
Siblings:
– Rexlon “Rex” Ting Gatchalian, mayor of Valenzuela City
– Weslie “Wes” Ting Gatchalian, Representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela City
– Kenneth Gatchalian, president and director of the Board of Directors of Wellex Industries, Inc.
Civil Status: Single
Profession/Occupation: Senator
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science Major in Finance and Operations Management, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 1995
- Win Gatchalian finished his elementary and secondary education from Grace Christian High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Operations Management at Boston University, Massachusetts, USA in 1995. During his college days, he also underwent basic life support trainings as a member of the International Red Cross in Massachusetts, USA. He also took an Advanced Language Course at the Beijing Language and Culture University in China from 1995 to 1996.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Senator, Senate of the Philippines (2016-2022)
- Representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela City, House of Representatives (2001-2004, 2013-2016)
- Mayor, Valenzuela City (2004-2013)
- Vice Chairman, Waterfront Philippines, Inc. (1999-2001)
- Vice Chairman, Air Philippines Corporation (1999-2001)
- Executive Vice President, The Wellex Group (1997-2001)
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Public Office
As mayor of Valenzuela City, Win Gatchalian focused on boosting growth in the local business sector and eliminating corruption.
In July 2016 and just after his election as a senator, Gatchalian and other family members faced charges for graft, malversation and violation of the Manual of Regulations for Banks in connection with the irregular acquisition of Express Savings Bank, Inc. by the Local Water Utilities Administration in 2009.
The government allegedly lost at least P80 million due to the anomalous acquisition. In October 2016, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division dismissed the charges against Gatchalian for lack of probable cause. The dismissal was affirmed by the Sandiganbayan on Nov. 17, 2017.
In his capacity as a legislator, Gatchalian principally authored at least 12 laws related to the energy industry and education. In the lower house, he principally authored the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Act.
As a senator, he authored the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute Act, the Alternative Learning System Act, the Microgrid Systems Act and the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act. He also principally sponsored a number of laws such as the Murang Kuryente Act.
In February 2022, Gatchalian called for the resignation of Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi over the allegedly anomalous approval of the purchase by Dennis Uy’s indirectly owned UC Malampaya of Chevron Malampaya LLC that had a 45% stake in the Malampaya gas field. Gatchalian has stressed that UC Malampaya is an inexperienced company with negative working capital to buy the coveted Malampaya shares.
On Feb. 4, 2022, he also led the transmittal of the Senate resolution recommending the filing of graft, gross neglect of duty, and grave misconduct charges against Secretary Cusi and other officials. Cusi, with the support of President Rodrigo Duterte, has denied any wrongdoing in connection with the sale’s approval.
According to reports, the Malampaya gas-to-power project is among the country’s most valuable natural resources, supplying natural gas to five power plants with a total capacity of 3,211 megawatts. It powers six out of 10 households in Metro Manila and nearby provinces and earns P290.8 billion for the government from 2002 to 2021.
Private Sector
Prior to his entry in politics, Gatchalian held executive positions in various business interests of the Gatchalian family and other private companies. The WELLEX Group is one of the leading diversified investment firms in the Philippines, with industries including hotels and casinos, real estate development, oil exploration, petrochemicals, mining, aviation, trading, and banking.
ABOUT WIN
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, more known by his constituents as “Win,” is no neophyte to public service with his almost two decades of experience marked by honesty, integrity, and a relentless drive to serve his countrymen.
The call for public service began in 2001—Win was elected initially as Valenzuela City’s first district representative, then later as mayor of Valenzuela City in 2004. In his nine years as chief executive, he has made his life’s mission to champion good governance, fight corruption and focus on improving the accessibility and quality of education in the city. He helped transform Valenzuela City’s education system into one of the nation’s best.
Upon his return to Congress in 2013, Win set out to nationalize some of Valenzuela City’s most effective education reforms. In 2015, he filed the original version of the bill that would radically expand access to college education for millions of Filipinos—the House Bill No. 5905, more commonly known as the Free Higher Education Act. He also authored other notable and relevant bills including the measure on increasing salaries for teachers and non-teaching personnel, the nationwide school-based feeding program for kinder and elementary public school students, the Nanay-Teacher parenting program, and the Anti-Hazing Act, among others.
He made the move from the local political arena to the national stage before the May 2016 elections, Win won a successful dark horse bid for a Senate seat by galvanizing the youth vote with a single promise—to pass legislation establishing a tuition-free scheme in state universities and colleges. Only a year into his term, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1304, Affordable Higher Education for All Act, a consolidated version of Win’s Free Higher Education Act, a landmark legislation that would make education within reach of deserving but underprivileged students. The measure was eventually enacted into law as Republic Act No. 10931, Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in August 2017—setting the stage for millions of young Filipinos to attain a free college education in the coming years.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Committee on Economic Affairs during the 17th Congress, Win steered both committees with one goal in mind—to protect and empower the Filipino consumers. He strove toward the passage of several key measures aimed at fostering a competitive, investor-friendly, and red tape-free environment in the energy sector, and in the Philippine economy in general. His goal was to spark an economic renaissance in the entire country by crafting measures that would promote robust competition, encourage investments, and make doing business in the Philippines easier.
Working at a considerable pace over the past four years, he has successfully steered the passage of pro-consumer legislations that have been signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. Among the laws he has authored are the Murang Kuryente Act, Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund Act, the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop Act, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, the Philippine Innovation Act, and the Mobile Number Portability Act.
Now in the 18th Congress, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, Win continues to introduce further reforms to bring the Philippine education system to world-class levels.
Indeed, Win’s commitment to genuine public service continues to drive him in pursuing his promising vision of a better Philippines.
EDUCATION
The foundations for Win Gatchalian’s sense of public service and education advocacy started with his own education in the prestigious Boston University in Massachusetts, USA, where he graduated with a degree in Finance and Operations Management in 1995.
He finished his elementary and secondary education at Grace Christian High School in Quezon City.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Win Gatchalian’s diverse experience in the private sector prepared him for public service, building his management, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
As the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Wellex Group from 1996 to 2001, he was responsible for the operations management of various industries; working on multiple markets, adapting to grow trends in business and economics; and being in the mainstream of the country’s trade and industry. The Wellex Group is one of the leading diversified investment firms in the Philippines, with industries including hotels and casinos, real estate development, oil exploration, petrochemicals, mining, aviation, trading, and banking.
From 1998 to 1999, he also served as the Vice Chairman and Director of Air Philippines Corporation, the third largest domestic carrier in the Philippines with initial flights in Subic, Iloilo and Zamboanga when it started its operations in February 1996. At present, it has eight Boeing 737-200 aircrafts with flights to twelve major destinations in the Philippines from its hubs in Manila and Cebu.
Win became the Vice Chairman of Waterfront Philippines, Inc., one of the top Filipino-owned hotel chains in the country with properties located in Manila, Cebu, and Davao in key business and tourism areas—catering to local, regional, and international guests from 1999 to 2001.
At the same time, he was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Plastic City Corporation, the country’s fully integrated manufacturer of plastic products.
CONGRESSMAN
Win Gatchalian’s diverse experience in the private sector prepared him for public service. After a successful stint as a corporate executive, Win forged his own path and answered the call to public service which stirred within him after witnessing first-hand the dysfunctional culture of governance then prevailing in his hometown. He ran and won as the Representative of the First District of Valenzuela City in 2001, at the young age of 27.
MAYOR
In 2004, Win was elected Mayor of Valenzuela City. During his nine-year tenure as local chief executive, he revolutionized governance in City Hall by instituting reforms which eradicated corruption, fostered robust growth in the local business sector, and significantly improved the provision of essential social services in education, health, and other key areas.
Under Win’s professional and innovative style of leadership during three consecutive terms as chief executive, Valenzuela City was transformed from a sleepy factory town into a first class city—recognized by the Galing Pook Award as a Center for Innovations and Excellence in 2012, by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. as the Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit in 2012, by World Bank as Business-Friendly City in the country in 2011, and by the prestigious National University of Singapore for innovations that made business transactions and tax collections faster and more efficient. The Department of Interior Local Government also awarded the coveted Seal of Good Housekeeping, Bronze Category to Valenzuela City in 2012.
His distinct brand of leadership has earned him countless accolades, including The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Honoree for Public Service from the Junior Chamber International Philippines in 2011 and Manila 40 Under 40 International Development Leaders by the Development Executive Group (DevEx) in 2013.
Beyond his assigned civic duties, Win also worked on his various advocacies on youth empowerment, education and health, as the chairman of Boy Scouts of the Philippines in the National Capital Region, as a member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross, and as one of the Board of Trustees of the Synergeia Foundation.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
AS SENATOR:
Author
- RA 11548: Act granting the President of the Philippines the power to defer SSS contribution increases during a state of calamity
- RA 11505: Act renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Metro Manila Turf Club, Inc.
- RA 11462: Postponing the May 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections
- RA 11314: Student Fare Discount Act
- RA 11037: Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act
- RA 10931: Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act
- RA 11293: Tobacco Excise Tax Increase
- RA 11439: Act providing for the regulation and organization of Islamic banks
- RA 11459: Judges-at-Large Act
- RA 11310: Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4PS) Act
- RA 11315: Act establishing a community-based monitoring system
- RA 11262: Act amending Sections 85 and 103 of the Tourism Act
- RA 11229: Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act
- RA 11223: Universal Health Care Act
- RA 11201: Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act
- RA 11203: An act liberalizing the importation, exportation and trading of rice, lifting for the purpose the quantitative import restriction on rice and for other purposes
- RA 11199: Social Security Act
- RA 11053: Anti-Hazing Act
- RA 10969: Free Irrigation Service Act
- RA 10963: Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act
Co-author
- RA 11576: Act further expanding the jurisdiction of the metropolitan trial courts, municipal trial courts in cities, municipal trial courts, and municipal circuit trial courts
- RA 11569: Act extending the estate tax amnesty and for other purposes
- RA 11549: PNP, BFP, BJMP and BuCor Height Equity Act
- RA 11535: Act making the position of a cooperatives development officer mandatory in the municipal, city and provincial levels
- RA 11524: Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act
- RA 11525: COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act
- RA 11502: Act declaring the month of October of every year as the National Cooperative Month
- RA 11509: Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act
- RA 11517: Act authorizing the President to expedite the processing and issuance of national and local permits, licenses and certifications in times of national emergency
- RA 11511: Act amending the Organic Agriculture Act
- RA 11469: Bayanihan to Heal as One Act
- RA 11463: Malasakit Centers Act
- RA 11106: The Filipino Sign Language Act
- RA 11350: National Commission of Senior Citizens Act
- RA 11364: Cooperative Development Authority Charter
- RA 11312: Magna Carta for scientists, engineers, researchers and other science and technology personnel in the government
- RA 11292: Seal of Good Local Governance Act
- RA 11227: Handbook for OFWs Act
- RA 11228: Magna Carta for Persons with Disability
- RA 11232: Act providing for the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines
- RA 11215: National Integrated Cancer Control Act
- RA 11148: Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act
- RA 11035: Balik Scientist Act
AS CONGRESSMAN:
Author
- RA 10801: Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Act
- RA 10687: Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act
Co-author
- RA 9302: Amendments to the Charter of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation
- RA 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act
- RA 9165: Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
- RA 9160: Anti-Money Laundering Act
- RA 9290: Footwear, Leather Goods and Tannery Industries Development Act
- RA 9182: The Special Purpose Vehicle Act
- RA 9208: Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act
- RA 9174: Amendments to act instituting a Balikbayan Program
- RA 9295: Domestic Shipping Development Act
- RA 10667: Philippine Competition Act
- RA 10679: Youth Entrepreneurship Act
- RA 10642: Philippine Lemon Law
- RA 10909: No Shortchanging Act
- RA 10656: Amendments to act providing for synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections
- RA 10821: Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act
- RA 10668: Act allowing foreign vessels to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic transshipment and for other purposes
- RA 10742: Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act
