Ortegas of La Union bury hatchet for polls

SAN FERNANDO CITY — Members of the Ortega family are working together to retain their hold over La Union province, unlike in the elections in 2016 when most of them ran against each other.

“Peace has been restored. They all agreed [to unite],” said former San Fernando City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, wife of Victor Ortega, the clan’s patriarch.

Two of eight Ortega brothers have retired from politics. They are Victor, 84, the eldest, who served as governor and representative of the first district; and Manuel, known as Manoling, 73, who also served in both capacities.

Five brothers are still running: Pablo, who is unopposed for his second term as representative; Mario, who is running for vice governor; Jose Maria (Pepe), who is running for San Fernando City mayor; Francisco Jr. (Kit), who is a candidate for Luna mayor; and Ramon (Monetsky), who is seeking reelection as San Fernando City councilor.

Uncles vs nephews

Another brother, Robert, also known as “Bungo,” who served as councilor of Baguio City, died in 2017. His daughter, Michelle Pimentel, is running for Caba town mayor.

In 2016, uncles and nephews slugged it out for different positions. Mario lost to his nephew and Manoling’s son, Francisco III (Pacoy), for the post of governor. They are now a tandem in Pacoy’s reelection bid.

Jose Maria was also defeated by Manoling’s other son, Alfred, for the vice mayoral seat of San Fernando.

The two are running mates now, with Jose Maria running for mayor and Alfred running unopposed for vice mayor.

Pablo defeated his nephew and Manoling’s third son, Victor Manuel (Manix), for the first district congressional seat in 2016. Manix has decided to run for vice mayor of San Juan town in 2019.

Other Ortegas are entering politics.

Pablo’s wife, Mariquita, who retired as vice president of Land Bank of the Philippines, will run for councilor in San Juan.

Their son, Francisco Paolo V, is running for a seat in the provincial board while their daughter, Luzan Ortega-Valero, is gunning for a seat in the San Fernando council.

Eduardo Regala, a son-in-law of Victor, is also running for councilor of San Fernando City.

Outside of La Union, three more Ortegas are in the 2019 race. Pacoy’s wife, Vini Nola, is the second nominee of the Abono party-list group.

In Baguio City, Robert’s son, Francisco Roberto Ortega VI, who took over his father’s unfinished term as councilor in 2017, is running for reelection.

Dys of Isabela

In Manila, Charry Ortega is also running for councilor. She is the wife of Robert’s other son, Councilor Robert Ortega Jr., who is ending his term.

In Isabela province, another member of the influential Dy family has joined the fight against incumbent Gov. Faustino Dy III in the 2019 elections that has become a platform for a feud between the sons of the late Faustino Dy Sr.

Alexander Dy, the governor’s half-brother, is running against Dy III for vice governor. He substituted for Joel Arzadon, a candidate of the administration Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, who withdrew his certificate of candidacy, according to lawyer Manuel Castillo, Isabela provincial election supervisor.

Alexander is the brother of former Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. and Isabela Rep. Napoleon Dy, who is running for governor.

Among the gubernatorial candidates are brothers Mark Ryan Dy and Carlo Dy, who filed their certificates of candidacy at the last minute to challenge their uncle, Napoleon. Mark and Carlo are the sons of the late Gov. Benjamin Dy, brother of Napoleon, Dy Jr. and Dy III. —With a report from Villamor Visaya Jr.