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.
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.
Political career.
The Taft Commission of the United States-backed Insular Government of the Philippine Islands appointed Ortega as the first provincial civil governor of La Union on August 15, 1901. He was affiliated with Partido Federal. In the February 1902 local election, he became the first elected La Union governor. He served until February 1904.
Death and legacy.
Ortega died on May 31, 1943. Many of his children and his descendants became politicians themselves. 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. In 1988, his son Titing was elected as La Union governor.
Personal life.
Ortega married Francisca Lacsamana of Bangar with whom he raised fourteen children.