BINANSAGAN ni Senador Joel Villanueva si yumaong dating Pangulong Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III bilang ‘TESDA Godfather’.

Sa kanyang mensahe kaugnay sa pagpanaw ng ika-15 Pangulo ng bansa, sinabi ni Villanueva na malaki ang paniniwala ni Aquino sa kakayahan ng kabataan kung mabibigyan lamang ng tamang pagsasanay.

“If I was Tesdaman, he was the TESDA Godfather. He believed  in the great talents of our youth, waiting to be unlocked if given good training, right breaks, and inspiring success stories. By ordering that they be trained, he invested in their dreams,” pahayag ng pagdadalamhati ni Villanueva.

Si Villanueva ay nagsilbing Director General ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority sa ilalim ng Aquino administration.

“I am still shattered in million pieces, I just can’t believe am doing and typing this message. The nation lost a leader, and I, a friend.  But he was more than that. He was a mentor, a brother to me,” dagdag ng senador.

Sa kasalukuyan, naka-half-mast ang bandila ng bansa sa Senado at sa Kongreso bilang pakikidalamhati sa pagpanaw ng dating Pangulo na nagsilbi ring kongresista at senador.