Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq. is currently the Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships and Project Management Service.

He started his career in the Department of Education (DepED) in 2010 as the Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs. Some of his significant contributions are the following: Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, Kindergarten Education Act, Anti-bullying Act of 2013, Fast-tracked Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 2013, Rural Farm Schools Act, Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014 and Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013.

He is presently the Chairperson of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel (QITEP) in Language. He is also  a member of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Board as representative of the (DepEd);  the Secretary General of the Palarong Pambansa; board member of the National Union of Career Executive Service Officers (NUCESO); the President of the Philippine Educators Association of CESOs and Eligibles (PEACE); and co-spokesperson of the Department.

He was a regular contributor to Philippine news publications Bulgar and Business Mirror; appeared on DZXL Radyo Mo Nationwide from 2012 to 2014; regular guest of DZRH program, “Barangay RH” every Friday at 6:30 pm with former Congressman Angelo Palmones; and hosted the radio program, “Eduk-Aksyon” in DZEC Radyo Agila aired every Saturday at 8:00 pm.

He is currently a part time lecturer at the Graduate Program of University of the Philippines, National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) and at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Masters in Educational Management (MEM).He used to work with Senator Loren Legarda and Senator Nikki Coseteng; and in the law offices established by former Secretary of Justice and former Solicitor General Alberto Agra; former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez; and his father, Antonio L. Umali.

He passed the California State Bar Examinations in February 2004, took oath, and admitted to practice law and as member of the California State Bar on June 1, 2004.  He was admitted to practice federal law in the United States Federal Court Eastern, Southern and Central District of California, and admitted as member of the American Bar Association sometime in 2004. He passed and completed the Career Executive Service Officers (CESO) eligibility process and was conferred CESO Rank II in 2013.

Usec. Umali graduated Bachelor of Science Major in Legal Management degree in Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) in 1992; obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the Ateneo de Manila University, College of Law in March 1997; passed the Philippine Bar Examination given in the same year; and then took oath and admitted to practice law on May 6, 1998. He was conferred a Doctorate Degree in Public Administration, Honoris Causa by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines on April 15, 2015.

He is happily married to Michelle Umali, with whom he has two children, Julian Paolo and Mikaela Gabrielle.