Legarda becomes first woman to chair Senate defense panel

Senator Loren Legarda has made history as the first woman to chair the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation.

Her appointment, formalized during the plenary session on September 8, signals a shift in the Senate’s defense leadership that blends strategic reform, regional engagement, and climate-informed resilience.

“Defense is about securing lives, livelihoods, and our future. We must build a force that protects and empowers,” Legarda said.

She enters the role with a strong legislative track record and deep credentials in national security.

Legarda holds a Master’s Degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), where she graduated top of her class, and completed the AFP Command and General Staff Course.

She was later promoted to colonel (reserve) in the Philippine Air Force and authored the award-winning book The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Humanitarian Space: Building Resilience, Fostering Resilient Communities.

As a pioneer in climate-security integration, Legarda linked climate change to national security risks and proposed resilience audits of AFP installations.

Her AFP Resilience Scorecard and Toolkit aim to measure readiness across disaster and humanitarian metrics.

Among her key initiatives is Senate Bill No. 833, which proposes the creation of the Philippine Defense University System (PDUS).

The measure seeks to integrate existing defense and security schools into one organized institution to make education more comprehensive, efficient, and future-ready.

“With the PDUS, we can build a new generation of national security leaders who have the skills and knowledge to protect our country and its people. They will be ready not only for today’s problems, but also for future challenges we may face,” Legarda explained.

The four-term senator has consistently asserted Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, championing resolutions against foreign incursions and calling for the full enforcement of the Hague ruling.

Her call for increased Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) presence in the Kalayaan Islands underscores her commitment to ecological protection and food security.

“We must defend our territory, the dignity of our fisherfolk and the integrity of our marine ecosystems,” Legarda said.

She has also championed the welfare of uniformed personnel, proposing to institutionalize salary increases and secure budget allocations for equipment, housing, and veteran support.

She co-authored bills providing scholarships and financial aid to families of fallen officers.

Beyond legislation and diplomacy, Legarda continues to shape public discourse by framing the AFP as both a humanitarian actor and a resilience builder.

“Security goes beyond arms; it is about trust, preparedness, and shared responsibility,” she emphasized.

The Committee on National Defense and the Committee on Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation initially functioned as separate bodies.

In the 14th Congress, Senator M.A. Madrigal chaired the latter, and it was only in the 18th Congress that the two committees were merged into the current unified structure.

With this, Senator Legarda becomes the first woman to chair the consolidated Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation.

Her appointment marks a historic milestone led by a woman with strategic foresight, ecological grounding, and a deep commitment to inclusive leadership.