Mike Defensor

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The Honorable 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 (1969-06-30) June 30, 1969 (age 55) Manila, Philippines
Political party	PFP (2021–present) Anakalusugan (2019–present)
Other political affiliations	PDP–Laban (2018–2021) PRP (2009–2018) Lakas–CMD (2007–2009) Liberal (1995–2007) LDP (1992–1995)
Spouse	Julie Rose Tactacan-Defensor
Children	5
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman (BA, MPA)
Occupation	Politician

Michael Tan Defensor (Tagalog pronunciation: [dɪfɛnˈsɔɾ], born June 30, 1969) is a Filipino politician 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 as representative of 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 Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Philippine National Railways.

In 2019, he was elected again to the House of Representatives. He was a leading figure among the 70 representatives who voted to deny the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.^[1][2] 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.