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Phanie Teves

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Phanie Teves
Teves in 2020
Vice Mayor-elect of Muntinlupa
Assumed office
June 30, 2025
MayorRuffy Biazon
Preceded byArtemio Simundac
Municipal Administrator of Naujan
In office
August 14, 2023 – September 27, 2024
MayorHenry Joel C. Teves
Member of the Muntinlupa City Council from the 1st district
In office
June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022
Personal details
Born
Stephanie Galan Teves

(1988-06-02) June 2, 1988 (age 37)
Muntinlupa, Philippines
Political partyIndependent (c. 2025–present)
Other political
affiliations
Liberal (until c. 2019)
NUP (c. 2019c. 2022)
Spouse
Mak Wong
(m. 2021)
Children3
ResidencePoblacion, Muntinlupa
Alma materSan Beda College Alabang (BS)
Ateneo de Manila University (MPM)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • entrepreneur
Profession
  • Businesswoman

Stephanie "Phanie" Galan Teves-Wong (born June 2, 1988)[1] is a Filipino businesswoman and politician who is the vice mayor-elect of Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, following her victory in the 2025 Muntinlupa vice-mayoral election. She will become the city's first female vice mayor. Teves previously served as the appointed municipal administrator of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro (2023–2024), and as a three-term councilor from Muntinlupa's 1st district (2013–2022).

Early life

[edit]

Stephanie Galan Teves was born on June 2, 1988, in Muntinlupa, which was then a city in Rizal, Philippines.[2] Her father is Naujan mayor Henry Joel Teves. Her grandfather, Danilo "Danny" Teves, was a long-time barangay captain of Putatan, Muntinlupa, while her uncle, Gerardo "Gerry" Teves, is the incumbent barangay captain.[3] She is also related to former councilors Melchor "Mel" Teves, Ringo Teves, and Annalie "Thata" Teves.[4][5]

Teves earned a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurial management at San Beda College Alabang and later obtained a master's in public management from the Ateneo de Manila University's School of Government, graduating in 2018.[6][7]

Muntinlupa councilor (2013–2022)

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Representing Muntinlupa's first district, Teves was first elected to the city council in 2013 at the age of 25 and subsequently re-elected in 2016 and 2019, completing the maximum three consecutive terms allowed for local officials.[2] She was one of the youngest female councilors in the city when first elected in 2013. Throughout her tenure, Teves focused on legislation in the areas of education, health, social welfare, and community development.[2] By her third term (2019–2022), she had become one of the senior members of the city council and was recognized by her peers for effective and dedicated service, culminating in a 2022 city council resolution commending her contributions over nine years.[1]

In 2013 and 2016, Teves ran for councilor under the Liberal Party (LP) banner that endorsed Jaime Fresnedi's successful mayoral runs. In 2019, she shifted to the National Unity Party (NUP) that endorsed former Bureau of Immigration ports chief Red Mariñas's unsuccessful mayoral bid against Mayor Fresnedi.[8]

Legislative initiatives

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Education

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Teves was the principal author of an ordinance expanding Muntinlupa's scholarship program to cover students from elementary and high school through college, providing financial assistance and incentives to deserving youth. This Expanded Comprehensive Scholarship and Incentive Program (enacted in 2013) built on the city's existing "Iskolar ng Bayan" (transl. "Scholar of the Country") college scholarship by extending aid to elementary and high school students to prevent dropouts due to financial hardship.[6] The expanded program eventually covered basic through tertiary education (including technical/vocational tracks and graduate studies) and introduced rewards for academic achievers. In a related effort, Teves also authored City Ordinance No. 18-183 in 2018, which established the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun) Educational Assistance Program to support students of the city-run university. This ordinance created various incentive schemes, such as grants for academic excellence, leadership, athletics, and board exam review assistance, to encourage student achievement and assist financially needy PLMun students.[9]

She also authored ordinances granting allowances to Muslim teachers ("Asatidz") and to all public school teachers in elementary and high schools across the city.[10]

Teves played a key role in the establishment of the Colegio de Muntinlupa, drafting the ordinance that formally created the institution in 2017. She also supported the institutionalization of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in the city.[9]

In addition to these initiatives, Teves introduced ordinances that led to the recognition and renaming of various educational institutions, including the creation of Poblacion National High School, Tunasan National High School, Sucat Senior High School, Cupang Senior High School, and Lakeview Integrated School in Putatan.[9][11]

Other areas

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In 2015, she co-authored Ordinance No. 15-146, a comprehensive measure for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections in Muntinlupa. This law created the Muntinlupa City Local AIDS Council and laid out policies for education, prevention, and treatment. She also advocated for senior citizens' welfare—notably, she was among the proponents of Ordinance No. 17-109 (passed in 2017), which granted additional monthly allowances to elderly residents who reach 90 years old and above.[12] This ordinance institutionalized financial support for nonagenarians and centenarians as a form of social service benefit. In the arena of community economic development, Teves lent her support to foundational legislation like the city's investment code (2015) and a comprehensive environment code (2018), both aimed at sustainable community growth (these measures were enacted with broad council support across party lines, including Teves as co-sponsor).[9]

Teves co-sponsored Ordinance No. 2020-136, which created the Online Registration Program for Youths (ORPY).[13] This ordinance established a citywide online youth database to facilitate more effective youth programs and services by the local government. The ORPY was meant to intensify data gathering on Muntinlupa's young constituents in coordination with the Youth Affairs and Sports Development Office and youth council, thereby guiding policies aligned with the Philippine Youth Development Plan. Teves also supported values formation and civic awareness among students—for example, she was one of the sponsors of the 2019 "Munting Panata" (transl. "Little Pledge") ordinance, which introduced a daily recitation of a civic pledge in schools to instill patriotism and good values in elementary and high school students.[13][11]

Council and national roles

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Teves served for multiple years as chairperson of the Committee on Education, where she oversaw legislation and programs related to schools, scholarships, and youth development.[2] In this capacity, Teves became a member of the city's local school board and even sat on the Board of Regents of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (by virtue of her committee chairmanship), helping align council policies with educational needs.[9] She also chaired the Committee on Communication and Public Affairs, handling matters of public information and media relations for the city government.[1]

Teves held several national-level positions during her career. She served as interim treasurer of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) from 2019 to 2022, interim vice president of the Lady Legislators League of the Philippines (4L) during the same period, and as vice president of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) for the National Capital Region (2019–2022).[11] She was also a board director for Luzon in the Lady Legislators League from 2016 to 2019.[14]

Teves was chosen as the Minority Floor Leader in the 8th City Council during her final term (2019–2022).[1] In a 2022 city council resolution, her colleagues noted her "dynamic performance" and statesmanship in this capacity.[1]

Programs and advocacy work

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As Education Committee chair, she was a proponent of Muntinlupa's scholarship and student excellence initiatives.[2][11] She helped oversee the implementation of the expanded scholarship and incentive programs, which by the late 2010s were benefitting students from public elementary schools up to the city university. Teves was part of the steering committee for Muntinlupa's annual Ten Most Outstanding Students (10MOST) awards, a program recognizing exceptional high school students in the city. In 2018, she co-chaired the 10MOST selection committee (as the city council's education representative), working with local educators and officials to honor youth achievers and inspire academic excellence.[14]

After helping create the Muntinlupa Local AIDS Council via ordinance, she supported its awareness campaigns and the rollout of community-based seminars on HIV/AIDS prevention (in coordination with the City Health Office) to ensure the ordinance's intent was realized.[12]

In 2017, Teves represented Mayor Jaime Fresnedi to receive a Model Local Chief Executive Award on his behalf from a national education accreditation body.[9][11]

Naujan administrator (2023–2024)

[edit]

On August 14, 2023, Teves was appointed as the municipal administrator of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, by her father, Mayor Henry Joel Teves.[8] She was tasked with assisting the mayor in managing day-to-day governance and public services. The municipal administrator's office "exercises general supervision and control over all municipal government departments and sections" to ensure the effective delivery of basic services.[15]

In 2023, Naujan implemented the Department of Information and Communications Technology's eLGU system (Electronic Local Government Unit system) to streamline business permitting and local transactions.[10] This digital initiative, overseen by the municipal government during Teves's administration, led to a surge in business registrations and local revenue by 2024. Official data showed that the number of registered businesses in Naujan jumped from 2,167 in 2022 to 2,779 in 2023 and was projected to reach nearly 2,975 by 2024. Correspondingly, annual revenue from business taxes rose from an average of 6 million (US$108,000) pre-digitalization to over ₱10 million ($180,000) in 2023. A Naujan official credited the 23.9% increase in business tax revenue and expansion of the local business base to the successful rollout of the eLGU electronic Business Permit and Licensing System, an effort that Teves, as administrator, helped facilitate.[10]

Teves participated in initiatives to boost Naujan's local economy and services. For instance, she was involved in preparations for the opening of SM Savemore Naujan, the town's first major supermarket, which launched in June 2024. Along with other local officials, Administrator Teves inspected and helped ensure the readiness of the new Savemore store.[16]

As administrator, Teves also engaged in partnerships and programs for community development and environmental protection. In August 2024, she led the formal acceptance of a donation of coral reef monitoring equipment from the ABS-CBN Foundation to the Naujan government following the MT Princess Empress oil spill.[17] This equipment, including an underwater camera, mobile phones for "citizen scientist" volunteers, buoys, and snorkeling gear, was provided to help Naujan monitor and rehabilitate its coastal and marine resources. Teves formally received the donation on behalf of the town, emphasizing that the new tools would enable continuous marine environmental monitoring and evidence-based conservation strategies for Naujan's coastal areas.[17]

On September 17, 2024, Teves resigned as municipal administrator. She stepped down from her role on September 27.[2]

Vice Mayor of Muntinlupa (since 2025)

[edit]

In early October 2024, Teves publicly confirmed her candidacy for vice mayor of Muntinlupa in the May 12, 2025 local elections. She filed her certificate of candidacy with the Commission on Elections, registering as an independent candidate. The 2025 vice mayoral contest featured a three-way race: incumbent Vice Mayor Artemio "Temy" Simundac (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas), One Muntinlupa's barangay leader Allen Fresnedi-Ampaya, and Teves as an independent.[18][19] Teves's campaign emphasized transparency in governance, education reform, and community development.[2]

On May 12, 2025, the Commission on Elections conducted the polls. Preliminary results showed Teves leading the count, finishing with 127,079 votes, or 52.84 percent of the total vice mayoral vote—surpassing Ampaya, who received 88,435 votes (36.77 percent), and Simundac, who received 25,003 votes (10.40 percent).[20]

She was officially proclaimed winner by the members of the Muntinlupa City Board of Canvassers in the early morning of May 13, 2025.[21] Teves thus became Muntinlupa's first woman vice mayor and the first independent candidate to win a citywide elected post in Muntinlupa since the establishment of One Muntinlupa's political dominance in 2022. She was also the only candidate not under One Muntinlupa to have been elected in the 2025 local elections.[21]

Personal life

[edit]

Teves married businessman Mak Wong in 2021.[22] They have two sons together.[23] She also has a daughter from a previous relationship.[24] They all reside in Poblacion, Muntinlupa.[23]

Teves owns Beautésteps by Beautéderm, a beauty store at Ayala Malls South Park in Alabang.[25][26]

She is also a yoga instructor.[26][27]

Electoral history

[edit]

2025 (vice mayor)

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CandidatePartyVotes%
Phanie TevesIndependent127,07952.84
Allen AmpayaOne Muntinlupa88,43536.77
Artemio Simundac (incumbent)Partido Federal ng Pilipinas25,00310.40
Total240,517100.00
Registered voters/turnout314,934
Independent gain from Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
Source: Commission on Elections[28][20]

2019 (councilor)

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Muntinlupa council elections—1st district
Party Candidate Votes %
PDP–Laban Raul Corro 97,183 10.25
Liberal Alexson Diaz 91,643 9.66
Liberal Paty Katy Boncayao 90,098 9.50
Liberal Louie Arciaga (incumbent) 80,886 8.53
Liberal Allan Camilon 78,854 8.31
Liberal Ting Niefes (incumbent) 68,715 7.24
NUP Phanie Teves (incumbent) 68,349 7.21
NUP Ivee Arciaga-Tadefa (incumbent) 63,240 6.67
Liberal Nicanor Echavez 58,325 6.15
PDP–Laban Melchor Teves 57,555 6.07
NUP Ning Calalang 39,823 4.20
NUP Mai Maligaya-Mangudadatu 37,087 3.91
NUP King Marquez 27,225 2.87
NUP Jay Dolleton 24,194 2.55
Independent Danny Carandang 15,305 1.61
NUP Joshua Sebastian 14,265 1.50
NUP Caloy Casaldon 12,569 1.33
Independent Ryan de la Cruz 6,587 0.69
WPP Evelyn Sanchez 3,896 0.41
PDDS Jojo Regala 3,613 0.38
Independent Tristan Dimatulac 3,231 0.34
WPP Sonnyboy Nava 2,205 0.23
PDDS Churchill de Lara 2,165 0.23
WPP Timrich Gabriel 1,537 0.16
Total votes 948,550 100.00
Source Commission on Elections[29]

2016 (councilor)

[edit]
Muntinlupa council elections—1st district
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Patricio Boncayao Jr. (incumbent) 76,956 8.54
Liberal Bal Niefes (incumbent) 75,617 8.40
Liberal Phanie Teves (incumbent) 72,993 8.10
Liberal Allan Camilon 68,243 7.58
Liberal Ringo Teves (incumbent) 65,201 7.24
Liberal Louie Arciaga (incumbent) 63,583 7.06
UNA Alex Diaz (incumbent) 56,394 6.26
UNA Ivee Arciaga-Tadefa 55,557 6.17
Liberal Bong Cruz 52,217 5.80
Liberal Danny Carandang 36,790 4.08
Independent Johnson San Pedro 35,382 3.93
UNA Rommel Abanto 35,060 3.89
UNA Allan Paule De Guzman 33,228 3.69
UNA King Marquez 30,365 3.37
UNA Erick Ramirez 30,215 3.35
UNA Ave Marmeto 22,775 2.53
UNA Pastor Neil Varias 22,337 2.48
NPC Alex Borja 14,276 1.58
NPC Edwin Arciaga 12,708 1.41
NPC Jones Espeleta 11,671 1.30
NPC Naomi Estrada 5,862 0.65
NPC James Solchaga 4,882 0.54
NPC Jean Zarceno 4,213 0.47
NPC Romwell Dumag 3,981 0.44
PDP–Laban Christian Gravador 3,703 0.41
Independent Ed Molina 3,520 0.39
Independent Ma. Arlene Paningasan 2,918 0.32
Total votes 900,652 100.00
Source Commission on Elections[30]

2013 (councilor)

[edit]
Muntinlupa council elections—1st district
Party Candidate Votes %
UNA Raul Corro (incumbent) 57,911 9.23
Liberal Patricio Boncayao Jr. (incumbent) 50,604 8.06
Liberal Phanie Teves 47,831 7.62
UNA Bal Niefes (incumbent) 47,779 7.61
Liberal Louie Arciaga 43,800 6.98
UNA Ringo Teves (incumbent) 42,955 6.85
UNA Amy Patdu-Labios (incumbent) 42,871 6.83
UNA Alex Diaz (incumbent) 39,171 6.24
Liberal Carlo Argana 37,579 5.99
Liberal Rosalinda Smith 34,901 5.56
UNA Bobby Barlis (incumbent) 34,715 5.53
UNA Ike dela Rea 30,490 4.86
Liberal Allan Paule De Guzman 30,381 4.84
UNA Athan Gutierrez 29,613 4.72
Liberal Norberto Espeleta 28,473 4.54
Liberal Erick Lorica 28,459 4.53
Total votes 627,533 100.00
Source Commission on Elections[31]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE G. TEVES.WONG FOR THE EXCELLENT, HONEST, EFFECTIVE AND DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE AS COUNCILOR OF DISTRICT 1 IN THE Clry OF MUNTINLUPA FOR THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE TERMS" (PDF). City Government of Muntinlupa. June 27, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Stephanie "Phanie" Teves". Serbisyo PH. 2025. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  3. ^ City Government of Muntinlupa [@OFFICIALMUNTI] (July 11, 2023). "6. Condolences to the family of the departed Mrs. Luisa Teves, wife of Barangay Putatan Chairman Danilo Teves, and grandmother of former Councilor Stephanie Teves-Wong" (Tweet). Retrieved June 25, 2025 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Ayalin, Adrian (March 20, 2023). "DOJ chief to Teves: Come home, face the charges". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  5. ^ "Maraming Salamat sa Mainit at Nag-Aalab na Pagtanggap mula sa District 1 at District 2 ng Maynila!" [Thank You Very Much for the Warm and Enthusiastic Welcome from District 1 and District 2 of Manila!] (in Tagalog). TGP Partylist. April 23, 2025. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Lopes, James (2018). "Stephanie Teves won't stand as a "backer" for their admission". Metro News Central. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  7. ^ "Unahan muna! Stephanie Teves explains why she can only give 80 sets of school supplies this June" [Prioritize this! Stephanie Teves explains why she can only give 80 sets of school supplies this June]. Politiko (in Filipino). June 23, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Sugay, Juanito Joshua (October 11, 2023). "LGU Naujan commemorates Cooperative Month this October". Philippine Information Agency. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Abad, Roderick (October 11, 2017). "Fresnedi cited for education initiatives". BusinessMirror. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c Gaa, Ariel (April 7, 2025). "Mindoro town achieves remarkable growth after adopting eLGU system". Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e "CHED, ALCUCOA praise Fresnedi educ'l initiative". The Manila Times. October 19, 2017. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025 – via PressReader.
  12. ^ a b "Muntinlupa joins UN advocacy program against HIV, AIDS". The Manila Times. October 15, 2018. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Santos, Mylene (2023). "Muntinlupa launches online registration program for the youth". Metro News Central. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Bunye, Ignacio R. (March 26, 2018). "Bunye: Muntinlupa's best". SunStar. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  15. ^ "Office of the Municipal Administrator". Municipal Government of Taytay, Palawan. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  16. ^ "SM Savemore Naujan Opens Its Doors to Shoppers". Mindoro Today. June 20, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "ABS-CBN Foundation Donates Coral Reef Monitoring Equipment to Naujan LGU". August 4, 2024. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  18. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (October 9, 2024). "2 candidates for mayor, 3 for vice mayor running in Muntinlupa in May 2025 polls". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  19. ^ Adel, Rosette (May 11, 2025). "FULL LIST: Local candidates of Muntinlupa City for 2025 elections". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "2025 National and Local Elections Partial Unofficial Results: NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION - NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION - FOURTH DISTRICT - CITY OF MUNTINLUPA". Comelec Media Server. May 15, 2025. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025 – via GMA News.
  21. ^ a b "Ruffy Biazon proclaimed winning candidate for mayor in Muntinlupa". GMA News. May 13, 2025. Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  22. ^ "Bagay! Stephanie Teves slays the ultimate Koreana look" [Appropriate! Stephanie Teves slays the ultimate Korean look]. Politiko (in Filipino). October 23, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Phanie Teves is having a baby". Politiko. March 24, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  24. ^ "Phanie Teves gets real with parenting struggles". Politiko. November 9, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  25. ^ "Phanie Teves gets peace of mind away from social media". Politiko. November 6, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  26. ^ a b "Netizens scramble to order this Stephanie Teves-approved cheesecake". Politiko. September 26, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  27. ^ "Stephanie Teves reveals no-ligo campaign day". Politiko. April 21, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  28. ^ "Data on the Total Number Established and Clustered Precincts, Registered Voters and Voting Centers" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  29. ^ "Eleksyon 2019 Results: CITY OF MUNTINLUPA". GMA News Online. May 22, 2019. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  30. ^ "WINNERS: Muntinlupa City Local Elections 2016 Results". IVotePH. April 21, 2016. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  31. ^ "Muntinlupa Local Elections 2013 Results". IVotePH. May 14, 2013. Archived from the original on March 28, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by
Artemio Simundac
Vice Mayor of Muntinlupa
2025–present
Incumbent