Ortega vs Ortega: Mario defeats niece Rafy in La Union gubernatorial race

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La Union Gov. Raphaelle “Rafy” Ortega-David (L) and Vice Gov. Mario Eduardo Ortega. | PHOTOS: Website of the Provincial Gov’t of La Union (launion.gov.ph) and official Facebook page of Congressman Dante Sotelo Garcia

DAGUPAN CITY — La Union Gov. Raphaelle “Rafy” Ortega-David has conceded defeat in her reelection bid to her granduncle, Vice Gov. Mario Eduardo Ortega.

“Holding my head up high! The people have spoken,” Ortega-David said in a social media post as she congratulated the winners chosen by the electorate.

“To my constituents and supporters, thank you for embracing the first female and youngest elected governor of La Union these past three years. I am always here to love and support you, LU, in whatever way I can,” she
added.

She concluded her message with, “Once again, I am Gov. Rafy Ortega-David. God is truly gracious. May God bless us all, and God bless our fair La Union.”

Mario Ortega, who has been proclaimed the winner, received 252,425 votes. Ortega-David garnered 162,303.

Ortega-David is the daughter of former Gov. Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, who also lost his bid for the congressional seat in La Union’s 2nd District to incumbent Rep. Dante Garcia.

Francisco is the son of former Gov. Manuel Ortega.

In the 1st District congressional race, incumbent Rep. Paolo Ortega defeated his cousin, Provincial Board Member Joy Ortega, also a daughter of Manuel Ortega. Paolo received 131,305 votes, while Joy got 45,554. He is the son of Pablo Ortega, brother of Manuel and Mario.

Pablo ran unopposed for vice mayor of San Fernando City. His wife, Mariquita Ortega, the top councilor in San Juan town, won the mayoral race against incumbent Vice Mayor Mannix Ortega, another son of Manuel.

Also securing a win was Danielle Ortega, daughter of Mario Ortega, who earned a seat on the San Fernando City council.

lzb/abc