Migz Zubiri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Migz Zubiri
Zubiri in 2023
24th President of the Senate of the Philippines
In office July 25, 2022 – May 20, 2024
Preceded by	Tito Sotto
Succeeded by	Francis Escudero
President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
Acting June 30, 2022 – July 25, 2022
Preceded by	Ralph Recto
Succeeded by	Loren Legarda
Senate Majority Leader
In office May 21, 2018 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Tito Sotto
Succeeded by	Joel Villanueva
In office November 17, 2008 – June 30, 2010
Preceded by	Francis Pangilinan
Succeeded by	Tito Sotto
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2016
In office June 30, 2007 – August 3, 2011
Chair of the Senate Cooperatives Committee
In office July 25, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Lito Lapid
Succeeded by	Imee Marcos
Chair of the Senate Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship Committee
In office July 25, 2016 – May 25, 2018
Preceded by	Bam Aquino (as Trade and Commerce)
Succeeded by	Koko Pimentel
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Bukidnon's 3rd district
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Preceded by	Jose Maria Zubiri Jr.
Succeeded by	Jose Zubiri III
Personal details
Born	Juan Miguel Fernandez Zubiri (1969-04-13) April 13, 1969 (age 56) Makati, Rizal, Philippines
Political party	Independent (2011–2012; 2014–present)
Other political affiliations	UNA (2012–2014) Lakas (1998–2011) NPC (1997–1998)
Spouse	Audrey Tan ​ (m. 2005)​
Children	3
Parent	Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. (father)
Relatives	Jose Zubiri III (brother)
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Los Baños (BS) University of the Philippines Open University (MENRM)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Businessperson
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Philippines
Branch/service	Armed Forces of the Philippines
Years of service	2024–present
Rank	Lieutenant colonel (reserve)
Migz Zubiri Sport Country Philippines Sport Arnis Medal record Arnis Representing  Philippines WEKAF World Championships Gold 1989 Cebu City

Juan Miguel "Migz" Fernandez Zubiri (born April 13, 1969) is a well-known Filipino politician. He has been a Senator of the Philippines since 2016. From July 25, 2022, to May 20, 2024, he served as the 24th Senate President. This is like being the leader of the country's Senate.

He is currently serving his third term as a Senator. He was first a Senator from 2007 to 2011, and then again from 2016 to 2022. He also served as the Senate Majority Leader twice. Before becoming a Senator, he was a representative for Bukidnon's third district from 1998 to 2007.

Migz Zubiri is also the current chairman of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation. This group promotes Arnis, which is the national martial art and sport of the Philippines. He is also the vice chairman of the Philippine Red Cross.

In August 2011, Zubiri resigned from the Senate. This happened after some people made claims about the 2007 elections. He always said that these claims were not true. His resignation was a first in the history of the Senate.

Early Life and Education

Juan Miguel Fernandez Zubiri was born in Makati, Philippines. His father, Jose Maria Zubiri Jr., came from Negros Occidental. His mother, Maria Victoria Ocampo Fernandez, grew up in Bukidnon.

Migz Zubiri can speak several languages. These include Cebuano, Tagalog, English, and Hiligaynon. His father, Jose Maria, was also a former governor of Bukidnon.

He attended Colegio San Agustin-Makati for his elementary and high school education. He then studied at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. There he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management. Later, he also got a Master's degree in Environment and Natural Resources Management. This was from the University of the Philippines Open University.

Sports Career

Zubiri has a strong connection to Arnis, both as a former player and as a leader in the sport. He started training in Arnis, a Filipino martial art, when he was sixteen. In 1989, he won the Arnis World Championship title.

He was chosen as the first president and chairman of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF). This organization was started in 2017. It is now the official national sports association for Arnis in the Philippines.

Political Career

House of Representatives

Before becoming a politician himself, Zubiri worked as the chief of staff for his father, Representative Jose Maria Zubiri, Jr., from 1995 to 1998. In 1998, he ran for the seat in the third district of Bukidnon, which his father was leaving. He won this election easily.

He served three terms in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. During his first term, he was part of a group of new congressmen who were known for speaking out about the government at the time.

Serving in the Senate

After serving as a representative for nine years, he decided to run for the Senate in the 2007 elections. He was part of a group of candidates who supported the president at that time.

In the 2007 Senate race, Zubiri won the last available spot in the Senate. He was proclaimed as a Senator on July 14, 2007.

Senator Zubiri (second from left) with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (center) in October 2008

While in the Senate, Zubiri supported studying biofuels more deeply. He believed this could help prevent food shortages and reduce the country's reliance on imported oil. On November 17, 2008, he became the Senate Majority Leader. During his time as Majority Leader, the Senate passed a large number of bills.

On August 3, 2011, Zubiri announced his resignation from the Senate. He said that the accusations against him were affecting his family. He strongly denied any wrongdoing and stated that he was falsely accused. His resignation was seen by many as a positive step for public trust.

In 2013, Zubiri ran for the Senate again but did not win a seat. However, in 2016, he ran as an independent candidate and was successful. He received many votes and placed sixth among the winning candidates.

In 2018, he was again elected as Senate Majority Leader. In 2022, Zubiri successfully kept his seat in the Senate. He ran as an independent candidate and received nearly 19 million votes.

Senate President (2022–2024)

Zubiri (top left) during President Bongbong Marcos's 2022 State of the Nation Address.

In May 2022, he announced that he wanted to become the Senate President. On July 25, 2022, Zubiri was elected as Senate President, as he was the only person nominated for the role.

On May 20, 2024, Zubiri resigned from his position as Senate President. Senator Francis Escudero then took over the role. In his farewell speech, Zubiri said he supported his colleagues' independence and that his departure was because he did not follow instructions from higher authorities. He emphasized his commitment to the Senate's honesty.

Personal Views

Zubiri and his family meet Pope Francis at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City in 2024

Migz Zubiri is a Roman Catholic. ..... He believes strongly in the importance of marriage.

After meeting Pope Francis in June 2024, Zubiri shared that the Pope asked him to "protect the Filipino family."

Family Life

Zubiri has been married to Audrey Tan since 2005. They have three children together.

He is also a reserve officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He holds the rank of lieutenant colonel since April 8, 2024.