Defensor Dynasty Rises from Local to Provincial Leadership

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

For the Defensor family of the 3rd district of Iloilo, everything started from humble beginnings — in local politics to leading the provincial government.

Arthur Defensor Sr., the family’s patriarch, began his political career at 26 when he became the first Mayor of his hometown, Mina.

His early career was marked by a brief exit from politics during Martial Law when he built a successful law practice instead.

In 1984, he made a political comeback, winning a seat as an opposition Assemblyman in the Batasang Pambansa, where he became a strong critic of Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship.

Following the 1986 People Power Revolution, former president Corazon Aquino appointed Defensor Sr. to key national positions, including Undersecretary of Education and Commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

But his return to Iloilo politics was inevitable. In 1992, he was elected governor, serving three consecutive terms until 2001.

With his three-term limit, he pivoted to the legislative branch of government from 2001 to 2010.

In these three three consecutive terms, he held significant leadership positions in the House of the Representatives. He first became an Assistant Majority Leader, and a Senior Deputy Majority Leader, and ended his Congress stint as House Majority Leader of the 14th Congress.

At that time, it was too early for Defensor Sr. to field his sons, Arthur Jr. and Lorenz, for the gubernatorial seat. Instead, Niel Tupas Sr., fresh from serving as 5th district representative, assumed the position.

THE SONS TAKE OVER 

Arthur Jr., the eldest son, entered politics when he served as Iloilo provincial member from 2007 to 2010, with an immediate backup to the 3rd district representative seat vacated by his father.

He held the congressional seat for three consecutive terms from 2010–2019.

Like his father, Arthur Jr. also had big ambitions — leading Iloilo as governor. After completing his term as a congressman, he immediately ran for governor. In the midterm elections this May, the gubernatorial seat still belongs to him as he is unopposed.

Meanwhile, Lorenz was also not a stranger to politics. He started mellow by running as a provincial board member in just one term, from 2016 to 2019. This experience gave him a role in the legislative branch of the Iloilo province.

It didn’t take long for Lorenz to go after higher positions in the government. As Arthur Jr. completed his term in Congress, Lorenz took over the 3rd district seat. He is now seeking his final term in the upcoming elections.

FAMILY TIES IN LOCAL POSITIONS

The 3rd district of Iloilo includes the towns of Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, and Pototan — where the Defensor family’s influence extends to uncles and cousins.

Among them is their cousin, Jason Gonzales, who started in politics as an Iloilo City councilor from 2013 to 2015. He then served as mayor of Lambunao from 2016 to 2019 before becoming a provincial board member in 2019. He is currently seeking re-election for his final term.

First in line is the Defensor brother’s cousin, Jason Gonzales. He first entered politics as Iloilo City Councilor from 2013 to 2015. He was then elected as mayor of Lambunao in 2016 and 2019. He was then elected provincial board member in 2019 and is now seeking a last term.

Meanwhile, Reynor Gonzales, Jason’s father and Arthur Sr.’s brother-in-law, has been mayor of Lambunao since 2019 and is now seeking his last term in the upcoming elections.

Arvin Losaria, another cousin, was elected vice mayor of Lambunao in 2019 and is also seeking re-election this year.

Before Arvin, there was Caesar Gonzales, another of Jason’s uncles. Caesar held the vice mayoral post of Lambunao from 2010 to 2019.

With the upcoming elections, will the Defensor family’s grip on Iloilo politics face a credible challenge, or will their dynasty continue to expand its influence unopposed?