Joaquin Ortega
Filipino politician (1868–1943)
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Joaquín Vicente Eulogio Ortega y Joaquino (March 11, 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.
Joaquin Ortega | |
|---|---|
| 2nd Governor of La Union | |
| In office August 15, 1901 – February 1904 | |
| Appointed by | Taft Commission (1901–1902) |
| Preceded by | Lucino Almeida |
| Succeeded by | Joaquin Luna |
| 2nd Governor of Abra | |
| In office 1904–1914 | |
| Preceded by | Juan Villamor |
| Succeeded by | Rosalio Eduarte |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joaquín Vicente Eulogio Ortega y Joaquino March 11, 1868 |
| Died | May 31, 1943 (aged 75) |
| Party | Partido Federal |
| Spouse | Francisca Lacsamana |
| Children | 14 (inc. Joaquin Jr.) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Biography

Ortega was born in Cebu in 1868. In his early career, he worked as a cashier for the Compañia General de Tabacos de Filipinas in La Union. He later represented La Union in the Malolos Congress during the Philippine Revolution.[1]
Political career
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.[2] He was affiliated with Partido Federal.[3] In the 1902 local election, he became the first elected La Union governor serving until February 1904.[2][4][5] 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.[2] 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.[3][6][7][8] In 1988, his son Titing was elected as La Union governor.[5]