Joaquin Ortega

Joaquin Ortega
2nd Governor of La Union
In office
August 15, 1901 – February 1904
Appointed byTaft Commission (1901–1902)
Preceded byLucino Almeida
Succeeded byJoaquin Luna
2nd Governor of Abra
In office
1904–1914
Preceded byJuan Villamor
Succeeded byRosalio Eduarte
Personal details
BornJoaquín Vicente Eulogio Ortega y Joaquino
1868 (1868)
DiedMay 31, 1943(1943-05-31) (aged 74–75)
PartyPartido Federal
SpouseFrancisca Lacsamana
Children14 (inc. Joaquin Jr.)
RelativesOrtega family
OccupationPolitician

Joaquín Vicente Eulogio Ortega y Joaquino (1868 – May 31, 1943) was a Filipino politician who was the first civil governor of the province of La Union. His tenure marked the centuries long presence of the Ortega political family in the affairs of the province.

Early life and education

Joaquin Ortega was born in Cebu in 1868.[1] His father was Antonio Ortega who worked at the Tabacalera in Carlatan, San Fernando, La Union while his mother is Juana Juaquino of Surigao. He is described as a Spanish meztizo. He studied at the University of Santo Tomas[2]

He initially worked as a cashier for the Compañia General de Tabacos de Filipinas in La Union. [1]

Political career

He later represented La Union in the Malolos Congress during the Philippine Revolution.[1]

The Taft Commission of the United States-backed Insular Government of the Philippine Islands appointed Ortega as the first civil governor of the Province of La Union on August 15, 1901 and first ever civil governor of the Ilocos Region itself.[3] He was affiliated with Partido Federal.[4][5] In the 1902 local election, he became the first elected La Union governor serving until February 1904.[3][6][7] Ortega went on to become the 2nd Governor of Abra serving for 10 years from 1904 until 1914.

Death and legacy

Ortega died on May 31, 1943. Many of his children and his descendants became politicians themselves.[3] The Ortega political family is often cited as a "dynasty" that endured for a century in La Union's politics. with relatives even contending for the same major position in elections.[5][8][9][10] In 1988, his son Titing was elected as La Union governor.[7]

Personal life

Ortega married Francisca Lacsamana of Bangar with whom he raised fourteen children.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Report of the Secretary of War, which Accompanied the Annual Message of the President of the United States, to Both Houses of the ... Congress. The Department. 1905.
  2. ^ Elias, Jun (April 30, 2002). "Ortega clan, a legend in public service". Manila Standard. pp. C2–C3. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d Gurtiza, Joy Ann (August 15, 2023). "PGLU Honors Legacy of Don Joaquin J. Ortega, Commemorates his 122nd Appointment as Province's First Civil Governor". Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Miranda, Felipe; Rivera, Temario; Ronas, Malaya; Holmes, Ronald (2011). Chasing the Wind: Assessing Philippine Democracy (PDF). ommission on Human Rights of the Philippines. p. 66. ISBN 978-971-93106-4-8 – via Ombudsman of the Philippines.
  5. ^ a b "Philippine politics: In the name of the family". ABS-CBN News. January 13, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Our Governors". Province of La Union Official Website. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Sotelo, Yolanda (May 1, 2013). "112-year political journey of the Ortegas of La Union". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Sotelo, Yolanda (August 26, 2015). "Cracks in La Union's Ortega clan show". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  9. ^ Go, Miriam Grace (December 11, 2024). "Who can dislodge political dynasties?". Rappler. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  10. ^ Legazpi, Amita (March 13, 2016). "Ortega kin claims La Union to back Ilocanos Binay, Bongbong". GMA News. Retrieved December 11, 2024.