La Union's Ortega clan fielding 13 candidates

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines – The Ortega clan in this province is fielding at least 13 candidates in the May 2013 elections.

Leading the list is first district Rep. Victor Ortega who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last Monday for his reelection bid.

Gov. Manuel Ortega, who is set to file his COC today along with other clan members and his ticket, is vying for his third and final term.

Also seeking reelection are Abono party-list Rep. Francisco Emmanuelle Ortega III, provincial board member Francisco Ortega Jr., San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega, and city councilors Alfred Ortega, Paolo Ortega and Jayvee Valero, the mayor’s son-in-law. 

Last-term provincial board member Jose “Pepe” Ortega has filed his COC for the vice mayorship of San Fernando City, while outgoing city councilor Jayjay Ortega Orros is vying for the first district seat at the provincial board.

It was also confirmed that retired Col. Roberto “Bungo” Ortega is eyeing a comeback at the Baguio City council while his son, actor Robert Ortega, is also a candidate for councilor of Manila’s fifth district. 

The retired colonel’s daughter, actress Michele Ortega, is running for mayor in Caba, La Union after establishing residency in the town for more than a year now. 

Rep. Ortega, Gov. Ortega, Mayor Ortega, board member Ortega Jr., Pepe and the retired colonel are sons of the late speaker pro tempore Francisco Ortega. Another brother, Ramon Ortega, is the incumbent president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in San Fernando. 

Rep. Ortega III and councilor Alfred Ortega are sons of the governor along with Manuel Victor Ortega Jr., incumbent president of the Liga ng mga Barangay-La Union chapter. 

Councilor Paolo Ortega is a son of Mayor Ortega.