Lorenz Defensor
{{Short description|Filipino lawyer and politician (born 1977)}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2025}}
{{Philippine name|Rivera|Defensor}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = The Honorable
| name = Lorenz Defensor
| image = Rep._Lorenz_Defensor_(19th_Congress).jpg
| caption = Defensor's 19th Congress Portrait
| office = Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Iloilo's 3rd district
| term_start = June 30, 2019
| term_end =
| predecessor = Arthur Defensor Jr.
| office2 = Member of the Iloilo Provincial Board from Iloilo's 3rd district
| term_start2 = June 30, 2015
| term_end2 = June 30, 2019
| predecessor2 = Licurgo Tirador
| successor2 = Matt Palabrica
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|07|24}}
| birth_place = Iloilo City, Philippines
| education = University of the Philippines Diliman (AB, MBA)
University of Santo Tomas (LLB)
| party = NUP (2021–present)
| otherparty = PDP–Laban (2018–2021)
Liberal (2015–2018)
| profession = Lawyer, Politician
| spouse = Vaneza Ungson
| father = Arthur Defensor Sr.
| mother = Cosette Rivera
| children = 2
| relatives = Arthur Defensor Jr. (brother)
}}
Lorenz Rivera Defensor (born July 24, 1977) is a Filipino lawyer and politician currently serving as the representative of the third legislative district of Iloilo Province in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. Running under the ruling PDP-Laban party in the May 13, 2019 elections, he defeated Nacionalista Emmanuel Gallar.
Early life and education
Lorenz Defensor was born on July 24, 1977, in Iloilo City, Philippines. He is the son of former Iloilo Governor and former congressman Arthur Defensor Sr. and Cosette Rivera.
Defensor earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He later pursued a Master’s degree in Public Administration at the same university. Additionally, he obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Santo Tomas and passed the Philippine Bar Examination in 2004.{{cite web |title=Our Team |url=https://www.sedalaw.com/our-team |access-date=February 9, 2025}}
Career
= Early Career =
Before entering politics, Defensor worked as a legal officer at SMC Global Power Holdings Corporation. He also served as a senior partner at Salazar Enrile Defensor & De Mata Law Offices (SEDA Law), specializing in energy law, power and electric utilities, project finance and construction, and local legislation.
= Political Career =
Defensor began his political career as a provincial board member representing the third district of Iloilo. In 2019, he was elected as the congressman for the district, a position he currently holds.
In February 2025, Defensor was named as a member of the House prosecution team for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. He stated that facing Duterte in the trial was "always an honor."{{cite news |title=House prosecution team member Defensor on facing Duterte in impeachment trial: 'Always an honor' |author=Ellson Quismorio |date=February 5, 2025 |url=https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/5/house-prosecution-team-member-defensor-on-facing-duterte-in-impeachment-trial-always-an-honor}}
Political stances
In March 2025, Defensor attended a rally supporting KiBam, where he emphasized the importance of unity and continuity in leadership. He stated, "Others have separated, we're still together," highlighting his alignment with the opposition's call for cohesive and principled governance.{{cite news |title=Leni at Kiko-Bam rally: Others have separated, we're still together |author=Llanesca T. Panti |date=March 7, 2025 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/938456/leni-at-kiko-bam-rally-others-have-separated-we-re-still-together/story/ |website=GMA News Online}}
Personal life
Defensor's brother, Arthur "Toto" Defensor Jr., is the current governor of Iloilo. He is married to Vaneza Ungson, a lawyer, and they have two children.
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Licurgo Tirador}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Iloilo Provincial Board from Iloilo's 3rd district|years=2015–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=Matt Palabrica}}
|-
{{s-par|ph-lwr}}
{{s-bef|before=Arthur Defensor Jr.}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the House of Representatives
from Iloilo's 3rd district|years=2019–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Defensor, Lorenz}}
Category:People from Iloilo City
Category:Partido Demokratiko Pilipino politicians
Category:Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Iloilo
Category:University of the Philippines Visayas alumni
Category:21st-century Filipino lawyers
Category:21st-century Filipino politicians
Category:National Unity Party (Philippines) politicians