Following the footstep of his father
Joaquin Ortega, who was
governor of
La Union from 1901 to 1904. Joaquin "Titing" Ortega Jr.' attempted to run for an electoral position six times before getting voted as La Union
1st district representative in 1969. He had 3,000 more votes than his closest opponent Victor Ortega who was also his nephew. In 1972 after the
declaration of martial law by president
Ferdinand Marcos, Ortega who is a
Nacionalista member lost his position after the Congress was disbanded. From 1978, Ortega returned to the legislature as a member representing La Union in the
Interim Batasang Pambansa. The legislature became the
Regular Batasang Pambansa in 1984 which was dissolved in the 1986
People Power Revolution which deposed Marcos. He held the position until 1992. ==Personal life==