Senator Pia S. Cayetano

Biography

Pinay In Action

Senator Pia S. Cayetano has built a track record for getting the tough job done. For nearly two decades, she has led the passage of landmark laws on healthcare, education, and measures to support economic growth.

She chairs the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Innovation, and Futures Thinking in the 19th Congress. This committee works to align government programs and legislative measures with the SDGs, guided by the principles of futures thinking and strategic foresight.

Senator Pia sponsored the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) as chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means in the 18th Congress. Hailed as a game changer and long-awaited reform that took 25 years, CREATE substantially reduced corporate income tax rates, and modernized the tax and fiscal incentives system to boost businesses and investments.

She shepherded the passage of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, and helped push two other measures on pandemic response and recovery, namely, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act, and Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

A staunch health advocate, Senator Pia worked for the enactment of the Sin Tax Reform Law to raise additional revenues for healthcare, while curbing harmful vices, especially among the youth.

Drawing from her experiences as an adoptive mother, Senator Pia helped pass measures to give children without parental care a loving home. She co-authored and co-sponsored the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, and the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act. These laws are part of a series of alternative child care reforms that started with the Foster Care Act, which she sponsored in 2009.

Her work also includes the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act, which ensures children's rights and welfare in times of disasters. She is principal author of the law mandating basic immunization for infants and young children.

Recently, the measure instituting a policy of inclusion for learners with disabilities, which she authored and sponsored, was signed into law. This follows a long line of reforms on quality and accessible learning, which she first pushed for as education committee chair in the 16th Congress. The said laws include the Ladderized Education Act, Open Distance Learning Act, Open High School System Act, and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act.

As senior vice chairperson of the Finance Committee in the 18th Congress, she lobbied for the rightful share of education and health in the national budget, as well as the funding for the Doktor para sa Bayan Act.

She has supported women by acknowledging their dual role as mothers and members of the workforce. The laws include the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act, Magna Carta of Women, and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act - for which she was recognized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Senator Pia actively supports athletes’ rights and welfare. A former student-athlete and national volleyball player, she authored and sponsored the Student-Athletes Protection Act. She is also a principal author of the law establishing the National Academy of Sports.

Senator Pia chairs the Asia and Pacific Regional Chapter of UNITE, a global network of parliamentarians committed to end infectious diseases. In 2008, she was the first Asian to be elected president of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

She promotes health and wellness through Pinay In Action and helps poor and differently abled children through Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation. In 2019, she started Pilipinas In Action to help mobilize aid to sectors worst hit by the pandemic.

A lawyer, economist, triathlete, and mother, Senator Pia embodies what it means to be a Pinay In Action, and a woman leader for our times.

CURRICULUM VITAE

I. Personal information

Nationality: Filipino

Date of birth: March 22, 1966

Place of birth: Michigan, USA

II. Employment

July 2022 – June 2025

Member, Philippine Senate, 19th Congress

Chair, Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures Thinking
Senior Vice-Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
Vice-Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Demography
Vice-Chair, Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change
Vice-Chair, Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation
Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Science and Technology

Work address:

Office of Senator Pia S. Cayetano
Room 510, Senate of the Philippines, GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Diokno Blvd., Pasay City

III. Past Positions and Affiliations:

A. Government positions

July 2019 – June 2023
Member, Philippine Senate, 18th Congress
Chair, Committee on Ways and Means
Chair, Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures Thinking
Vice Chair, Committee on Finance (Chairperson of the Sub-Committee D on the Budget of Health and Education sectors and Cultural agencies)
Vice-Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Demography

July 2016 – June 2019
Member, House of Representatives, 17th Congress
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
Representative, 2nd District of Taguig City July

2004 – June 2016
Member, Philippine Senate, 13th to 16th Congress
Chair, Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture
Chair, Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality
Vice-Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Demography
Chair, Senate Oversight Committee on Climate Change
Chair, Senate Oversight Committee on Bases Conversion

July 2010 – June 2013
Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Demography
Chair, Senate Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations
Chair, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Clean Water Act of 2004

November 2008 – June 2010
Chair, Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development

July 2004 – November 2008
Chair, Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Demography
Co-Chair, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
Co-Chair, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
Co-Chair, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

July 2004 – July 2007
Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Senate of the Philippines

B. International and Local Affiliations

1. 2022 Estoril Conferences
A platform to promote an open and impactful dialogue on global challenges to co-create effective coalitions for innovative solutions towards a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

2021 – 2022: Member, Advisory Council

2. Parliamentarians for Diabetes Global Network (PDGN)
The world's first global network of politicians who champion diabetes prevention, early diagnosis, and the best treatments for all.

2021 – Present: Member

3. UNITE Parliamentarians for Global Health (formerly UNITE Global Parliamentarians Network to End Infectious Diseases)
A global network of parliamentarians working towards pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response; strengthening health systems; and achieving equitable access to health.

April 2020 – Present: Chairperson, Asia and Pacific Regional Chapter

4. Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS)
A US Department of Defense institute that addresses regional and global security issues, inviting military and civilian representatives of the United States and Asia-Pacific nations to its comprehensive program of executive education and workshops, both in Hawaii and throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

2013 – Present: Fellow

5. Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
The global organization of national parliaments. First established in 1889, IPU has 179 member parliaments.

April 2008 – April 2010: President, Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians

April 2006 – April 2008: First Vice President, Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians

April 2005: President, 10th Meeting of Women Parliamentarians 112th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly

C. Socio-Civic Groups

1. Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Philippines
A business network of leading entrepreneurs in 196 chapters and 62 countries. It leads business owners to greater business success and an enriched personal life.

2002 – 2005: Member

2. UP Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority 1990: Grand Archon

D. Private Sector

2012 – 2018: Part Owner, Maxicuisine, Inc. (Slice Café)

2001 – 2004: President, Maxi Group of Companies – Retailer and Distributor of educational toys, infant apparel and accessories

2000: General Counsel, Philweb Corporation

1996 – 2000: Legal and Corporate Affairs, Belle Corporation and its affiliates

1992 – 1995: Associate Lawyer, Castillo, Laman Tan, and Pantaleon Law Offices – Specialized in Corporate Law and Intellectual Property Law

IV. Academic Background

1991: Bachelor of Laws, College of Law, University of the Philippines

Graduated with academic distinction, in the Top 10 of her class; Member of the Honor Society, Order of the Purple Feather

1985: Bachelor of Arts in Economics, School of Economics, University of the Philippines Graduated Cum Laude

V. Honors, Awards, Recognitions

2021: UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award
-For passing laws which safeguard the environment, and which benefit the welfare of the marginalized sectors, including women, children, the elderly, and the differently abled

2018: Sen. Geronima T. Pecson Award, Federation of Asia-Pacific Women’ Association
- For being elected the youngest Filipino woman in the history of the Philippine Senate and landmark contributions to Philippine legislation

2017: UP Gawad Oblation
- Highest honor given to alumni and friends of the University of the Philippines who have extended extraordinary service in the name of the university

2017: Distinguished Alumni Awardee
UP School of Economics Alumni Association (UPSEAA)

2014: Jade Ribbon Award, Stanford University-based Asian Liver Center
- Cited for raising awareness on liver cancer and Hepatitis-B, and the passage of the Hepatitis-B Immunization Act

2013: Rising Star Award, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Cited for efforts in improving the health and wellbeing of women and girls by passing the Reproductive Health Law, Mandatory Immunization Law, and Expanded Breastfeeding Awareness and Promotion Law

VI. Advocacies

Founder, Pilipinas In Action (March 2020) – facilitates food pack donations to communities and sectors in need, and support to healthcare personnel and frontliners through meals, medical supplies/equipment, and bicycles for their personal transportation, following the declaration of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founder, Pinay In Action (April 2015) – promotes the empowerment of women and young girls through sports, fitness, education, and awareness-raising; organizes sports clinics, tournaments, seminars, and other grassroots programs.

Founder, Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation, Inc. (December 2001) – supports free surgical operation for young children born with cleft lip and palate; organizes projects to help differently abled children and kids under difficult circumstances.