Tessie Aquino-Oreta

Maria Teresa Aquino-Oreta (born Maria Teresa Aquino Aquino; June 28, 1944 – May 14, 2020), better known as Tessie Aquino-Oreta, was a Filipino politician. She was the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture in the 11th Congress.

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Aquino, the birth surname or paternal family name is Aquino, and the marital name is Oreta.
The Honourable

Tessie Aquino-Oreta
Aquino-Oreta in 2008
Senator of the Philippines
In office
June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2004
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from the Lone District of Malabon City-Navotas
In office
June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1998
Preceded byPost created
Succeeded byFederico Sandoval II
Personal details
Born
Maria Teresa Aquino Aquino

(1944-06-28)June 28, 1944
Concepcion, Tarlac, Commonwealth of the Philippines
DiedMay 14, 2020(2020-05-14) (aged 75)
Manila, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Political partyLiberal (2015–2020)
NPC (2007–2015)
Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (1992–2007)
Spouse(s)Antolin M. Oreta, Jr.
RelationsBenigno Aquino Jr. (brother)
ChildrenRissa Oreta
Len Len Oreta
Karmela Oreta
Lorenzo Oreta
Alma materAssumption College
Military service
Allegiance Republic of the Philippines
Branch/servicePhilippine Air Force
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitReserves

Background

She was born on June 28, 1944 to Benigno Aquino, Sr. and Aurora Aquino-Aquino. She was the youngest of the Aquino children of Tarlac. Her siblings included Ninoy Aquino, who was assassinated in 1983.

Senator Aquino-Oreta attended primary school at the College of the Holy Spirit in Mendiola and high school at Assumption Convent. She graduated with a degree in Literature and History from Assumption Convent (now Assumption College); she received her International Studies degree in Ciudad Ducal, Avila, Spain. She completed her Master's degree at the National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines, earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Reserve) in the Philippine Air Force.

Congressional career

House of Representatives

Before being elected to the Senate in 1998, she represented the district of Malabon City-Navotas in the House of Representatives for three consecutive terms, from 1987-1998.

In the Lower House, she authored, and co-authored about 280 bills (79 were enacted into laws) and proposed 101 local and national resolutions (20 were adopted). She became the Assistant Majority Floor Leader during the 8th Congress in 1987 and during the 10th Congress in 1995, becoming the first woman Assistant Majority Floor Leader in the history of the Lower House.

Oreta ran as Congresswoman in Malabon in the 2016 elections; but lost to former representative Frederico "Ricky" Sandoval II.

Senate

In the 1998 National Elections, she was elected senator under the opposition Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino (LAMMP) banner. In the three years she was in office, Senator Aquino-Oreta filed 197 Senate Bills (authored and co-authored) and resolutions.

Estrada impeachment trial
Main article: EDSA 2

She participated in the impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada and was one of the senators who voted against the opening of the so-called "second envelope". After the vote, she was caught on camera doing a jig, which earned her the nickname "dancing queen" and offended some people. She apologized for the incident in a widely-broadcast political advertisement. She subsequently ran for the Senate and was defeated. She has not been elected to public office since.[1][2]

Personal life

She was married to businessman Antolin M. Oreta, Jr. They had four children: Rissa, Antolin (Len-Len) III, Karmela and adopted son Lorenzo.

Senator Aquino-Oreta died on May 14, 2020 at the age of 75 from cancer at 10:48pm.[3][4]

Ancestry

References
  1. "Tessie Oreta: Sorry for 'dancing queen' episode". GMA News Online.
  2. "Manila Bulletin Online".
  3. "Former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta passes away". GMA News Online.
  4. Paolo Romero (May 16, 2020). "Ex Senator Tessie Oreta, 75". Philippine Star.
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