Ortegas still rule in La Union

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines – The Ortega clan still holds power in La Union after eight of its 11 candidates in various local positions emerged as winners.

Election results showed first district Rep. Victor Ortega and his younger brothers Gov. Manuel Ortega and San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega winning by a landslide over their rivals. 

Rep. Ortega defeated neophyte, independent candidate Ruella Tongson, 99,070 votes versus 2,871. 

Gov. Ortega got 227,704 votes in the gubernatorial race against the 28,782 votes of former congressman Tomas Dumpit, while Mayor Ortega ran unopposed after his rival Reynaldo Jucutan was disqualified due to lack of residency requirement.           

Other Ortega family members who won easily in their re-election bids were board members Francisco Ortega Jr. and Jayjay Ortega-Orros, city councilors Paolo Ortega and Alfred Ortega, and Abono party-list Rep. Francisco “Pacoy” Ortega.