Former Congressman Raoul Manuel graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas, where he earned his BS Applied Mathematics degree, Summa Cum Laude. In 2016, he was unanimously selected to be Student Regent or sole student representative to the highest policy-making body of the UP System, the Board of Regents. He then served as president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), leading student councils and governments to promote free, accessible and quality education.

In 2022, he was elected as Representative of the Kabataan (Youth) Party to the 19th Philippine Congress. He authored more than 500 legislative measures including the enacted Schools Mental Health Law and Free College Entrance Exams Law. Former Congressman Raoul Manuel is a national council member of Karapatan, an alliance advancing people’s rights in the Philippines, and a member of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights.