MALASIQUI, Pangasinan—In a striking display of family political dynamics, La Union Vice Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega has announced his candidacy for governor, setting the stage for a direct contest with his granddaughter, incumbent Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David, in the 2025 midterm elections.
According to Philippines News Agency, Vice Governor Ortega, who is also the brother of the incumbent Governor’s grandfather, ex-Governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, made his intentions clear during a press conference in San Fernando City, La Union. Broadcast live on his social media, he expressed a commitment to continuing the “legacy of good governance” established by his family. “I have actually decided to run for governor since 2016,” he stated, adding that his approach to governance parallels managing a corporation where each leader brings a unique management style.
Governor Ortega-David, on her part, filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 1, alongside her father Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, who is entering the race for the congressional seat in La Union’s 2nd District. They face competition from incumbent Representative Dante Garcia, who is seeking a second term and is an ally of Vice Governor Ortega.
This intra-family electoral battle highlights the intricate and often personal nature of politics in the Philippines, where political legacies and family affiliations deeply influence the dynamics of power and governance.