Mike Defensor
Mike Defensor | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2019 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Anakalusugan | |
| In office June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Malacañang Chief of Staff | |
| In office February 15, 2006 – February 10, 2007 | |
| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Rigoberto Tiglao |
| Succeeded by | Joey Salceda |
| 28th Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources | |
| In office August 31, 2004 – February 15, 2006 | |
| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Elisa Gozun |
| Succeeded by | Angelo Reyes |
| 1st Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council | |
| In office January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2004 | |
| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Karina Constantino David |
| Succeeded by | Noli de Castro |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Quezon City's 3rd district | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – January 20, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Dennis Roldan |
| Succeeded by | Maria Theresa Defensor |
| Member of the Quezon City Council from the 3rd district | |
| In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Tan Defensor June 30, 1969 Manila, Philippines |
| Party | Reform PH (2024–present) Anakalusugan (2019–present) |
| Other political affiliations | PFP (2021–2024) PDP–Laban (2018–2021) PRP (2009–2018) Lakas (2007–2009) Liberal (1995–2007) LDP (1992–1995) |
| Spouse | Julie Rose Tactacan |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | University of the Philippines Diliman (BA, MPA) |
| Occupation |
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Michael Tan Defensor (Tagalog pronunciation: [dɪfɛnˈsɔɾ], born June 30, 1969) is a Filipino politician and businessman who most recently served as the party-list representative for Anakalusugan from 2019 to 2022. He is also the CEO of Pax Libera Mining, Inc.
Defensor began his political career in Quezon City, where he was a member of the city council from 1992 to 1995. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the city's 3rd district in 1995. In Congress, he was a member of the "Spice Boys", a group of young congressmen who led the efforts to impeach President Joseph Estrada. The impeachment trial and widescale protests of the Second EDSA Revolution resulted in Estrada's resignation and Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's accession to the presidency. Defensor went on to serve various positions in the Arroyo administration: chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, and Malacañang Chief of Staff. He was also appointed to positions at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Philippine National Railways.
In 2019, he was elected again to the House of Representatives, representing the Anakalusugan party-list. He was a leading figure among the 70 representatives who voted to deny the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he promoted and distributed the antiparasitic drug ivermectin as a prophylaxis and treatment for COVID-19, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting its efficacy.
Defensor unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Quezon City in 2010 and 2022.