Win Gatchalian, 48, 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.
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.
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.
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
- Safe return to face-to-face classes
- Fix the K to12 system
- Increase the pay of all teachers, whether in private or public education
- Tax relief to reduce taxes on private schools by 2023
Touts his principal authorship of the Alternative Learning System Act and his co-authorship of the Free Higher Education Act, the National Academy of Sports, the GMRC and Values Education Act and the Inclusive Education for Learners with Disabilities
- Aims for cheaper electricity for everyone
- Institutionalize and modernize the Pantawid Pasada program to immediately disburse assistance to the transport sector, particularly drivers, during oil price hikes
- Open to reviewing the Oil Deregulation Law but wants to reduce dependence on imported oil by exploring more domestic oil and gas reserves and transition to renewable energy as well as electric vehicles in the medium to long-term
Touts his principal authorship of the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act, the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund Act, the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute Act and co-authorship and principal sponsorship of the Murang Kuryente Act and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Public Office
As mayor of Valenzuela City, 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.
As city mayor, 2004-2013
Expanded by succeeding mayors into the 3S Plus program
Principal author and sponsor in the House of Representatives, 2014
Approved by the president on May 10, 2014
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2020
Approved by the president on July 30, 2021
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2020
Approved by the president on Dec. 23, 2020
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2020
Approved by the president on Jan. 1, 2022
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2017
Approved by the president on Mar. 8, 2019
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.
- Waterfront Philippines, Inc., vice chairman (1991-2001)
- Air Philippines Corporation, vice chairman and director (1991-2001)
- The WELLEX Group, executive vice president and chief financial officer (1997-2001)
- Plastic City Corporation, president and chief executive officer (1999-2001)
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Resolved Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Accrued Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Graft, malversation, and violations of bank regulations
Complaints filed in relation to allegedly anomalous acquisition of Express Savings Bank, Inc. by the Local Water Utilities Administration in 2009; Gatchalian was charged as a former corporate officer of WGI, which co-owned the Laguna-based thrift bank when it was bought by the LWUA The Ombudsman alleged that LWUA approved the purchase of the insolvent bank despite audit findings showing the bank suffered net losses and capital deficits from 2005 to 2009, in defiance of warnings against the purchase by other regulatory agencies, and without requisite regulatory approvals; the government allegedly lost at least P80 million in the deal Gatchalian claimed that he did not take part in the management and operations of the bank and did not participate in the negotiations over the sale to LWUA |
In Joint Resolution dated Mar. 16, 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable probable to indict Gatchalian for 1 count each of graft, malversation and violation of the MORB In July 2016, the Ombudsman filed the charges before the Sandiganbayan |
The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division dismissed all charges against Gatchalian on Oct. 18, 2016 for lack of probable cause
Such dismissal was affirmed on Nov. 17, 2017, when the Sandiganbayan denied the Ombudsman's motion for reconsideration that raised “no new arguments or any good and cogent reason”; the same ruling also granted the motion for reconsideration of the other members of the Gatchalian family praying for the dismissal of their graft case. |
Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.
* As of December 31, 2020
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
As a Senate reelectionist in 2022, vows to:
1. Ensure the proper implementation of R.A. No. 10931, or the Free Higher Education Act
2. Introduce interventions for continued learning delivery in times of calamities and other emergencies that disrupt classes such as the COVID-19 pandemic
3. Implement a free comprehensive national program for mandatory continuing education for all primary and secondary teachers in both private and public educational institutions as well as formal and non-formal institutions of learning
As a Senate reelectionist in 2022, vows to:
1. Institutionalize legislative reforms to ensure the 35 goals on Energy-Stability, Sustainability, and consumers' Savings
2. Provide “Kuryente for Every Juan"-electrification in all rural areas of the country
3. Increase the uptake of environment-friendly energy technologies for future generations
4. Fight red tape and streamline the number of processes in power generation, transmission, and distribution projects
5. Attract new generation capacity and improve the performance of utilities to meet the increasing power needs of the country while delivering quality service to consumers
As a Senate reelectionist in 2022, vows to steer the economic resurgence in the Philippines by crafting measures that would promote robust competition, encourage investments, make doing business in the country easier to be able to make basic goods available in the market and affordable to consumers
As a Senate reelectionist in 2022, vow to:
1. Promote competition in the telecommunications industry
2. Improve, expand, and strengthen the digital infrastructure in the country to improve internet speeds while lowering costs
3. Foster consumer protection for ICT-related services
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
William Gatchalian, father, businessman and head of the Wellex Group
Dee Hua Ting, mother, pastor and chairperson of the Jesus our Life Ministries
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.
• Bachelor of Science Major in Finance and Operations Management, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 1995
• Senator, Senate of the Philippines, 2016-present
• Representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela City, House of Representatives, 2001-2004, 2013-2016
• Mayor, Valenzuela City, 2004-2013
Learn more about this candidate
Major Accomplishments
Private Sector
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2020
Approved by the president on Oct. 14, 2021
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2018
Approved by the president on June 30, 2019
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2017
Approved by the president on June 29, 2019
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2017
Approved by the president on Feb. 8, 2019
Principal author and sponsor in the Senate, 2021
Approved by the president on July 6, 2021
Lapsed into law on June 30, 2016
