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Matias Defensor Jr.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matias Defensor
Official portrait, 2004
Member of Philippine House of Representatives from Quezon City's 3rd congressional district
In office
June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010
Preceded byMa. Theresa Defensor
Succeeded byJorge John B. Banal Jr.
Personal details
BornMatias Villarico Defensor Jr.
(1943-09-23) September 23, 1943 (age 82)
PartyIndependent (2015–present)
Other political
affiliations
UNA (2012–2015)
Lakas–CMD (2003–2012)
SpouseFlorence Tan
ChildrenMike Defensor
Ma. Theresa Defensor
RelativesMiriam Defensor Santiago (cousin)

Matias "Mat" Villarico Defensor Jr. (born September 23, 1943) is a Filipino lawyer, politician, and former newspaper columnist.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Defensor was a prominent lawyer during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, writing a column for the newspaper Business Day and serving as spokesman of the Marcos-Tolentino Movement that supported Marcos' presidential campaign in the 1986 snap election.[1][2][3] After Marcos' ouster in the People Power Revolution in 1986, Defensor became the spokesman of politician Ramon Mitra.[4] In 2004, he began representing the 3rd district of Quezon City under Lakas–CMD at the House of Representatives, serving for two terms from 2004 to 2010. He failed to win a third term in 2010 elections, losing to Jorge Banal. He ran again for the same position in the 2013 elections but lost.

He is married to Florence Defensor. He is the father of Mike Defensor and Ma. Theresa Defensor, both former congressmen of the same district he represented. Mike represented the district for two terms (1995–1998 and 1998–2001) while Ma. Theresa for one term (2001–2004). His father, Matias Defensor Sr. served as vice mayor of Quezon City from 1946 to 1947.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Lustre, Monjie (July 13, 2001). "The Defensors". Starweek Magazine. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  2. ↑ House of the People: The Men and Women of the 14th Congress. House of Representatives. 2010. p. 121. ISBN 9719210044. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Marcos contemplates use of army in troubled areas". Metro Manila Times. January 20, 1986. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 21, 2026 – via Daily Report: Asia & Pacific. Mat Defensor, spokesman of the nationwide support movement, said most of the political advertisements of the opposition were calculated to 'sow hatred among the people[...]'
  4. ↑ "Mitra rejects Fernandez report on debts". Manila Standard. Vol. 1, no. 176. August 5, 1987. p. 1. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
[edit]
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