Luis Raymund Villafuerte

This article is about the Filipino politician born in 1968. For his father, the Filipino politician born in 1935, see Luis Villafuerte.

Luis Raymund "L-Ray" Favis Villafuerte Jr. (born June 3, 1968) is a Filipino politician serving as the Representative of Camarines Sur's 2nd district since 2016. He was a House Deputy Speaker from 2019 until October 14, 2020. He previously served as the governor of Camarines Sur from 2004 to 2013.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Favis and the surname or paternal family name is Villafuerte.

The Honorable Luis Raymund Villafuerte
Villafuerte official portrait during the 19th Congress
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Camarines Sur's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Dato Arroyo
Deputy Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives
In office July 22, 2019 – October 14, 2020
House Speaker	Alan Peter Cayetano
Succeeded by	Mikee Romero
32nd Governor of Camarines Sur
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2013
Vice Governor	Salvio Fortuno (2004–2010) Fortunato Peña (2010–2013)
Preceded by	Luis Villafuerte Sr.
Succeeded by	Miguel Luis Villafuerte
President of the National Unity Party
Incumbent
Assumed office August 23, 2022
Personal details
Born	Luis Raymund Favis Villafuerte Jr.[1] (1968-06-03) June 3, 1968 (age 56)[2] Ermita, Manila, Philippines[2][3]
Political party	NUP (2021–present)
Other political affiliations	Nacionalista (2009–2021) Lakas–CMD (2003–2009)
Spouse	Lara Reyes Villafuerte
Children	4 (inc. Miguel Luis and Vincenzo Renato Luigi)
Residence(s)	Quezon City Libmanan, Camarines Sur
Alma mater	De La Salle University (BA) Stanford University
Occupation	Public servant
Profession	Businessman
Website	lrayvillafuerte.com

He belongs to a family of politicians. His father is a former governor Luis Villafuerte Sr. His son is the former governor of Camarines Sur, Miguel Luis Villafuerte, and the incumbent governor Luigi Villafuerte.

Business career

He and his wife Lara own Lara's Gift and Décor, Inc., an export company serving clients in different countries. They were the only Philippine business directly selling to Target branches in the United States.

He was the President of Lara's Gift and Décor, Inc from 1990 to 2004, and President of Lara's Gift and Décor, Inc. U.S.A. from 2000 to 2004. He was also the President of Bicol Broadcasting Systems, Inc. (2001–2004), Global Merchandising Services Ltd. (2001–2004), Digitext Asia Corporation (2002–2004), and the Philippine Association of Medical Transcription, Inc. (2001–2004).

Currently, he is the CEO of Republic Wakeparks Inc., President of Blank Boardsports Supply Company Inc., Vice-President of Breddas Inc., and a Trustee of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship and the likes.

He is also President of Villafuerte Brotherhood Foundation, Inc, (2001–present) and of Philippine Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation, Inc. (2006-president) and serves as Vice-President of Asian Wakeboarding Association (2001–present) and an Executive board member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Camarines Sur Council (2003–present).

Political career

House of Representatives

During the 2020 House leadership crisis, Villafuerte supported House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano's refusal to step down after Lord Allan Velasco was elected as the new speaker, Villafuerte was ousted from being a deputy speaker on October 14 and was replaced by Mikee Romero, a Velasco ally who was removed as a deputy speaker two weeks prior by Cayetano's side.

In a statement, Villafuerte announced that he will continue to support President Rodrigo Duterte's legislative agenda, and added "if the intention of removing me was to intimidate all those who remain loyal to former Speaker Cayetano, then they have miscalculated badly." He also accused the new leadership of "rejecting" the Cayetano faction's "offers of cooperation."^[4][5]