// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Titing Ortega say to his title? "You're always on my mind, it's a titling factor.

In this Filipino name, the middle name or maternal family name is Lacsamana and the surname or paternal family name is Ortega.

Titing Ortega
Head of National Tobacco Administration
In office December 1992 – January 1995
President	Fidel V. Ramos
Preceded by	Edilberto V. Cariaso
Succeeded by	Amante E. Siapno
23rd Governor of La Union
In office February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1992
Vice Governor	Aida M. Aspiras
Preceded by	Robert V. Dulay
Succeeded by	Justo O. Orros Jr.
Member of the Batasang Pambansa from La Union
In office June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Member of the Batasang Pambansa from Region I's at-large district
In office June 12, 1978 – June 5, 1984
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Member of the House of Representatives from La Union's 1st district
In office December 30, 1969 – September 23, 1972
Preceded by	Magnolia Antonino
Succeeded by	District abolished Post later held by Victor Ortega
Personal details
Born	Joaquin Lacsamana Ortega Jr. (1916-11-07)November 7, 1916 San Fernando, La Union, Philippine Islands
Died	September 20, 1996(1996-09-20) (aged 79) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Party	Nacionalista (1969–1978, 1988–1992) Bileg Ti La Union (local party; 1987–1992)
Other political affiliations	KBL (1978–1986)
Spouse	Felicula Nuesa
Relations	Ortega family
Children	5
Parent(s)	Joaquin Ortega (father) Francisca Lacsamana (mother)
Relatives	Francisco Ortega (brother)
Occupation	Politician

Joaquin Tomas "Titing" Lacsamana Ortega Jr. (November 7, 1916 – September 20, 1996) was a Filipino politician. He served as governor of La Union from 1988 to 1992, and as head of the National Tobacco Administration from 1992 to 1995. He represented the 1st district of La Union in the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1969 to 1972.

Early life

Joaquin Tomas Ortega Jr. was born on November 7, 1916 in San Fernando, La Union to Joaquin Ortega Sr., the governor of La Union from 1901 to 1904, and Francisca Lacsamana Ortega. He had 13 siblings, among whom was his elder brother Francisco ("Pacoy").

Political career

Following the footstep of his father, Ortega 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.

In January 1988, Ortega was elected as governor of La Union. He held the position until 1992.

In December 1992, Ortega was appointed head of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) by President Fidel V. Ramos, succeeding Edilberto V. Cariaso. During an interview with The New Yorker correspondent Stan Sesser in 1993, Ortega was asked about the issue of street children and teenagers selling and using cigarettes, to which he answered: "They’re part of the industry. We consider them vital cogs in the industry, because they provide a service to drivers who have no time to buy cigarettes. Isn’t this better for them than stealing or shoplifting?" He also expressed his view that children engaged in smoking was not a problem: "I don’t think smoking affects a person unless he’s genetically disposed to cancer. Should you tell a seven-year-old boy to stop eating sugar since sugar can cause diabetes?" He vacated his position by January 1995, and was succeeded by Amante E. Siapno.

Personal life

He was married to Felicula Nuesa with whom he have five children. His son, Carlos Ortega became La Union provincial board member from 1995 to 2001.