Senate positions


Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
In office May 18, 2017 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Alan Peter Cayetano
Succeeded by	Koko Pimentel
In office July 26, 2010 – July 22, 2013
Preceded by	Miriam Defensor Santiago
Succeeded by	Miriam Defensor Santiago
Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
In office July 25, 2016 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Francis Escudero
Succeeded by	Sonny Angara
Chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee
In office July 22, 2013 – July 25, 2016
Preceded by	Migz Zubiri
Succeeded by	Cynthia Villar
Chair of the Senate Climate Change Committee
In office December 9, 2009 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by	new office
Succeeded by	Nancy Binay
Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee
In office February 2, 2009 – July 22, 2013
Preceded by	Edgardo Angara
Succeeded by	Francis Pangilinan

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines

In office
July 22, 2019 – June 30, 2022

Serving with several others

Speaker

Alan Peter Cayetano
Lord Allan Velasco

Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Antique

In office
June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022

Preceded by

Paolo Everardo Javier

Succeeded by

Antonio Legarda Jr.

Personal details

Born

Lorna Regina Bautista Legarda

January 28, 1960 (age 65)
Malabon, Rizal, Philippines

Political party

NPC (2005–present)

Other political
affiliations

KNP (2004)
Independent (2003–2005)
Lakas (1998–2003)

Spouse

Antonio Leviste

(m. 1989; annulled 2008)

Children

2 (including Leandro)

Relatives

Antonio Legarda Jr. (brother)

Residences

Malabon, Metro Manila
Pandan, Antique

Alma mater

University of the Philippines Diliman (BA)
National Defense College of the Philippines (MNSA)

Occupation

Politician

Profession

Journalist

Website

Loren Legarda
Luntiang Pilipinas

Nickname

- Bai A Labi (Honorary Muslim Princess) of the Marawi Sultanate League;
- Tukwifi (Bright Star) of the Mountain Province Indigenous Peoples;
- Bai Matumpis (The One Who Takes Care) of the unified congregation of 10 Davao indigenous people groups;
- Cuyong Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan (Shining Sun Rising in Power) of the Suludnon Indigenous Peoples of Panay

Military service

Allegiance

Philippines

Branch/service

Philippine Army

Rank

Colonel

Lorna Regina "Loren" Bautista Legarda (born January 28, 1960) is a Filipina politician, environmentalist, and former journalist. She is known for being the longest-serving female senator in the history of the Senate of the Philippines. She is also the only woman in the Philippines to get the most votes in two different senatorial elections.

Before becoming a politician, Legarda was a popular news reporter and anchor. As a senator, she has focused on laws about education, the environment, and protecting the rights of indigenous people, women, and children. She is a strong supporter of fighting climate change.

Legarda has received many awards for her work. The United Nations has recognized her as a "Global Champion for Resilience" for her efforts to protect the environment. She has also been honored by different indigenous groups in the Philippines for her support.

Early Life and Education
Career as a Journalist
Political Career
A Champion for the Environment and Culture
- Protecting the Planet
- Promoting Filipino Culture
Personal Life
Awards and Honors
See also

Early Life and Education

Loren Legarda was born on January 28, 1960, in Malabon. Her grandfather, Jose P. Bautista, was the editor-in-chief of the newspaper The Manila Times. Her family has a history of public service, especially in the province of Antique.

As a teenager, she worked as a print and television model. She was an excellent student and graduated as the valedictorian of her grade school class at Assumption College San Lorenzo.

She later attended the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she earned a degree in broadcast communications. She also studied journalism at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Career as a Journalist

Legarda started her career as a journalist for a TV network. She later moved to ABS-CBN, where she became a well-known news anchor for the show The World Tonight. She also hosted a news show called The Inside Story.

For her work in journalism, she won more than 30 awards. These included the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award in 1992 and The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) Award in 1995.

Political Career

Portrait of Legarda as a senator, around 2022

In 1998, Legarda decided to enter politics and ran for the Senate of the Philippines. She won with over 15 million votes, the highest number in that election.

First Years as a Senator

During her first term in the Senate, Legarda wrote important laws. These laws helped protect women and children from violence and trafficking. She also authored the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law to help manage garbage properly.

From 2001 to 2004, she served as the Senate's Majority Floor Leader. She was the first woman to ever hold this important position.

Running for Vice President

Legarda ran for Vice President of the Philippines twice. The first time was in 2004 with presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.. She lost to Noli de Castro. She ran again in 2010 with Manny Villar but was not successful.

Return to the Senate

Legarda during a 2007 Philippine Military Academy ceremony

Legarda returned to the Senate in 2007, once again getting the most votes. In her following terms, she continued to work on laws to help people and the environment. She was reelected in 2013 and again in 2022.

Some of the important laws she helped create include:

Climate Change Act: A law to help the Philippines prepare for the effects of climate change. The United Nations called it the "best in the world."
Renewable Energy Act: A law to encourage the use of clean energy sources like solar and wind power.
Magna Carta of Women: A law that protects and promotes the rights of women.
Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act: This law provides free tuition for students in state universities and colleges.

Work in the House of Representatives

From 2019 to 2022, Legarda served as the congresswoman for the province of Antique. During this time, she was also a Deputy Speaker.

A Champion for the Environment and Culture

Legarda and her son, Leandro, during the 2010 election campaign period.

Throughout her career, Legarda has been a passionate advocate for protecting the environment and promoting Filipino culture.

Protecting the Planet

Legarda is one of the country's leading voices on climate change. She believes that protecting the environment is crucial for the country's future. She started the Luntiang Pilipinas (Green Philippines) foundation to help with reforestation projects.

For her environmental work, she has received many international awards. The United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction have both honored her for her leadership.

Promoting Filipino Culture

Legarda is also dedicated to preserving the rich culture of the Philippines. She has pushed for laws to protect national heritage sites and traditional writing systems like baybayin.

She helped the Philippines return to the Venice Biennale, a famous international art exhibition, after a 51-year absence. She also supports indigenous communities and promotes their traditional crafts, like weaving. She often wears traditional Filipino textiles to show her support.

Personal Life

Legarda after being awarded by the University of the Philippines.

Legarda was married to former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste from 1989 to 2008. They have two sons, Lorenzo and Leandro.

She is also a Colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve Corps. Many indigenous groups have given her honorary titles. For example, the Marawi Sultanate League named her "Bai Alabi" (Princess), and the people of Mountain Province called her "Tukwifi" (Bright Star).

Legarda is known for her healthy lifestyle and is an organic eater. She grows many of her own fruits and vegetables.

Awards and Honors

Loren Legarda has received many awards for her work in journalism, politics, and advocacy. Some of her most notable honors include:

2001 UNEP Laureate: Awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme.
2015 Global Champion for Resilience: Given by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
Chevalier (Knight) in the French Legion of Honor: A high honor from the government of France.
Cavaliere (Knight) of the Italian Order of Merit: An honor from the government of Italy.
2016 Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture: From the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Loren Legarda facts for kids

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