Loren Legarda facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Loren Legarda
Official portrait, 2025
President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
In office July 25, 2022 – May 20, 2024
Preceded by	Migz Zubiri (acting)
Succeeded by	Jinggoy Estrada
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2019
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2004
Senate Majority Leader
In office July 23, 2002 – January 12, 2004
Preceded by	Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
Succeeded by	Francis Pangilinan
In office July 23, 2001 – June 3, 2002
Preceded by	Francisco Tatad
Succeeded by	Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
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 Javier
Succeeded by	Antonio Legarda Jr.
Personal details
Born	Lorna Regina Bautista Legarda (1960-01-28) January 28, 1960 (age 66) 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 well-known Filipino politician, environmentalist, and cultural advocate. She is also a former journalist. She has served as a Senator of the Philippines for many years, including her current term which started in 2022. She was also the President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines from 2022 to 2024. Before becoming a politician, she worked as a news reporter and then a news anchor. Loren Legarda has served more terms as a female Senator than anyone else in Philippine history. She is also the only woman to have won the top spot in two Philippine senatorial elections. From 2019 to 2022, she was a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines while representing the province of Antique.

She also ran for Vice President two times. She ran in 2004 and again in 2010. She did not win either of these elections.

Senator Legarda is a strong supporter of protecting our environment and raising awareness about climate change. She has worked hard for social development and human rights. Her laws often focus on education, the rights of indigenous people, culture, women's rights, and children's rights. Some important laws she helped create include the Climate Change Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Magna Carta of Women. She has also represented the Philippines at UNESCO.

She has received many awards for her environmental efforts. These include being named a "UN Global Champion for Resilience" by the United Nations. She also received the "Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture" award. Many indigenous people communities in the Philippines have given her honorary titles, like "princess," because of her support for their rights.

Early Life and Education

Loren Legarda was born on January 28, 1960. Her full name is Lorna Regina Bautista Legarda. She was born in Malabon, which was then part of Rizal province. Her parents are Antonio Cabrera Legarda and Maria Salome Basilia "Bessie" Gella Bautista. Her family has a history of public service.

As a teenager, Loren Legarda worked as a model for print and television. She went to Assumption College for elementary and high school. She was the top student, or valedictorian, in grade school. In 1981, she graduated with honors from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications. She also studied journalism at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Journalism Career

Loren Legarda started her career as a journalist. She worked as a reporter for RPN. She covered important events, like the People Power Revolution. She also earned a master's degree in National Security Administration. She was the top student in her class.

Later, she moved to ABS-CBN. She became a co-anchor for the news program The World Tonight. She also hosted the current events show The Inside Story. As a journalist, Loren Legarda received over 30 awards. These include the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award in 1992. She also received The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) Award in 1995.

Political Career and Public Service

Serving as a Senator

Loren Legarda first became a Senator in 1998. She received the most votes in that election. She was the second woman ever to achieve this in the Philippines. During her first term, she created laws to help women and children. These laws included the Anti-Child Labor law, which protects children from working too young. She also worked on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law to help manage trash.

She was recognized internationally for her work. The World Economic Forum named her a "Global Leader for Tomorrow" in 2000. The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) also honored her for her environmental efforts in 2001. From 2001 to 2004, she served as the Senate's Majority Floor Leader. She was the first woman to hold this important position.

Running for Vice President

Loren Legarda ran for Vice President two times. She ran in 2004 and again in 2010. She did not win either of these elections.

Second and Third Senate Terms

Legarda was re-elected to the Senate in 2007 and again in 2013. In these terms, she continued to champion important causes. She authored the Expanded Senior Citizens Law, which helps older people. She also created the Climate Change Act, which was praised by the United Nations. Other important laws she helped pass include the Clean Air Act and the Renewable Energy Act.

She also established the Luntiang Pilipinas (Green Philippines) foundation. This organization works to plant more trees and protect the environment. She was recognized by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction for her work on disaster risk reduction. She also led the Philippine delegation to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

During her third term, she focused on cultural and environmental bills. She chaired the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. She also led investigations into environmental issues, like the crisis in Boracay. The United Nations named her a "Global Champion for Resilience" in 2015. She also received the "Chevalier" honor from France.

She worked to protect Philippine culture and arts. She helped pass the National Cultural Heritage Act. She also pushed for the Philippines to return to the Venice Biennale, a famous art exhibition. She supported laws for indigenous people's rights and women's rights. She also helped pass the Philippine Mental Health Law.

Legarda also supported the National Museum of the Philippines and UNESCO initiatives. She helped her home province of Antique host the 2017 Palarong Pambansa, which are the national games.

Serving in the House of Representatives

In 2019, Loren Legarda ran for and won a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives. She represented the province of Antique. She served as a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines during this time.

Return to the Senate (2022)

In 2021, Loren Legarda decided to run for Senator again. She won a seat in the 2022 Philippine Senate election, ranking second overall. She started her new term on June 30, 2022. From 2022 to 2024, she served as the President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines. She is also the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts.

Organizational Affiliations

• Commissioner, Global Commission on Adaptation (2018)
• Member, Women in Parliaments (WIP) Global Forum Executive Board (2016)
• Co-Chair, Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) Philippines
• Senior Advisor, Ocean Security International (2013)
• Founding Member, Global Advisory Group of Parliamentarians on Disaster Risk Reduction (2012)
• Founder, Luntiang Pilipinas (1998)
• Founder, Libro ni Loren Foundation (1999)
• Member, Phi Kappa Phi International Honor Society

Awards and Recognition

Legarda after being awarded by the University of the Philippines, the country's premier educational institution.

• 1992 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) from the Philippine Jaycees
• 1995 The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) Award
• 1995 Benigno Aquino Award for Journalism
• 2000 Global Leaders for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum
• 2001 UNEP Laureate by the United Nations Environment Programme
• 2001 Global 500 Roll of Honor by the United Nations Environment Programme
• 2004 Awardee for the Environment by the Priyadarshni Academy in Mumbai, India
• 2008 Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption for Asia and the Pacific by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
• "Bai a labi" (Honorary Muslim Princess) by the Marawi Sultanate League
• "Tukwifi" (Bright Star) by the Mountain Province Indigenous Peoples
• "Bai Matumpis" (The One Who Takes Care) by the unified congregation of 10 Davao indigenous people groups
• "Cuyong Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan" (Shining Sun Rising in Power) by the Suludnon Indigenous Peoples of Panay
• 2013 Distinguished Alumna for Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation of the University of the Philippines
• 2015 Global Champion for Resilience by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
• Chevalier (Knight) in the Ordre national de la légion d’Honneur (National Order of the French Legion of Honor)
• Cavaliere (Knight) of the Italian Order of Merit
• 2016 Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
• 2017 National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Champion by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• 2018 Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa by the University of the Philippines
• 2019 Award of Distinction by the European Union
• 2023 “Commendatore” to the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

Additionally, Legarda has garnered more than 30 awards in journalism since the 1980s.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Loren Legarda has homes in Malabon, Metro Manila, and Pandan, Antique. In 1989, she married former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste. They have two sons, Lorenzo "Lanz" Leviste and Leandro Leviste. Their marriage was annulled in 2008.

She holds the rank of Colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve Corps. Various indigenous people groups in the Philippines have given her honorary titles. These include "Bai Alabi" (Princess) from the Marawi Sultanate League and "Tukwifi" (Bright Star) from the Mountain Province Indigenous Peoples. She is known for her love of traditional Philippine textiles. She also enjoys eating organic food, growing her own vegetables and fruits.

Legarda is a dedicated environmentalist. She founded the Luntiang Pilipinas (Green Philippines) foundation. This group works to protect the environment. In 2017, she partnered with director Brillante Mendoza for a documentary series. The series, "Our Fragile Earth: Protected Areas of the Philippines," showed important protected areas. These included the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Mount Hamiguitan, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

She also hosts Dayaw, a TV series about Philippine heritage and culture. The show has had many seasons. In 2018, she launched Buhay na Buhay, a series about Filipino sub-cultures. She also hosts Maaram, a documentary series about intangible cultural heritage, which premiered in 2024.

Electoral History

See also

In Spanish: Loren Legarda para niños