Regina Reyes Mandanas Explained

Regina Ongsiako Reyes
Office1:Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives
from the Marinduque's lone district
Term Start1:June 30, 2013
Term End1:January 12, 2016
Predecessor1:Lord Allan Velasco[1]
Successor1:Lord Allan Velasco
Office2:First Lady of Batangas
Term Label2:In role
Term Start2:June 30, 2016
Term End2:May 5, 2022
Governor2:Hermilando Mandanas
Predecessor2:Ralph Recto
Successor2:Vacant
Term Start3:June 30, 1995
Term End3:June 30, 2004
Term Label3:In role
Governor3:Hermilando Mandanas
Predecessor3:Ma. Sonia Mayo
Successor3:Edna Sanchez
Birth Name:Regina Ongsiako Reyes
Birth Date:3 July 1964
Birth Place:Manila, Philippines
Death Place:Makati, Philippines
Nationality:Filipina
Party:Anakalusugan (until 2022)
Liberal (2013–2016)
Residence:Boac, Marinduque
Alma Mater:Georgetown University (BS)
Ateneo de Manila University (LL.B)
Partner:Hermilando Mandanas
Relatives:Sandro Reyes (nephew)
Father:Edmundo Reyes, Sr. (deceased)
Mother:Carmencita O. Reyes (deceased)

Regina Ongsiako Reyes-Mandanas (July 3, 1964 – May 5, 2022) was a Filipina politician who served as the Representative of Marinduque's lone district from 2013 to 2016. She was also the wife of Batangas governor Hermilando Mandanas. Her parents were former Bureau of Immigration commissioner Edmundo Reyes Sr. and Marinduque governor Carmencita O. Reyes.

Early life and career

Regina Ongsiako Reyes was twice accelerated in her primary and secondary school. A consistent Dean's Lister, she finished her Foreign Service degree at Georgetown University. She then studied at the Ateneo Law School, where she graduated in the honor roll. After passing the Philippine Bar Examination, she served in government and worked as a solicitor at the Office of Solicitor General. She was the youngest solicitor in history, and also took advanced studies in Comparative Law.

Advocacies

She was a devoted member of the Special Projects Group of Gawad Kalinga and was engaged in supporting rehabilitation centers for abused and neglected children, disaster management and relief operations, and volunteer recruitment. Reyes also joined Answering the Cry of the Poor Foundation (USA) Inc., better known as ANCOP U.S.A., and helped empower poor Filipino families by providing them shelter and livelihood programs, and promoting a culture of health consciousness.

Political career

She was the provincial administrator of Marinduque for almost two years. During her term, she has been very active in program implementation of the Provincial Government of Marinduque particularly programs by the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) on gender, women, children and senior citizens and the Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO) on barangay nutrition scholars and supplemental feedings for malnourished children. She was also active in fighting against irresponsible mining and provided jobs to the affected community.

In May 2013, Reyes gained almost 4,000 votes more than her opponent. She was proclaimed as the winner by the Marinduque COMELEC Provincial Board of Canvassers and subsequently took her oath of office before President Benigno S. Aquino III and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte in Malacañang as the duly elected representative of the Lone District of Marinduque.[2] [3]

As a member of the 16th Congress, she was the vice-chairwoman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security. She was also a member of several committees, which include the committees on Appropriations, Justice, Health, Natural Resources, Veterans Affairs and Welfare, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, Youth and Sports Development, Higher and Technical Education, Overseas Workers Affairs, Public Order and Safety, and Women and Gender Equality.[4]

Death

Reyes-Mandanas died on 5 May 2022 at Makati Medical Center due to sepsis. She was admitted to the hospital and underwent leg amputation because of a bacterial infection affecting her right foot.[5] [6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Marites Vitug. Dark Clouds in the Supreme Court. . Rappler . August 21, 2013 . August 21, 2013.
  2. News: Cruz, RG . House to call Reyes on Rollcall . . ABS-CBN News . July 19, 2013 . July 19, 2013 .
  3. News: Diaz, Jess . It's Official: Reyes is Marinduque Representative . . The Philippine Star . July 23, 2013 . July 23, 2013 .
  4. News: House of Representative . House Members: Regina Ongsiako Reyes .
  5. News: Datu . Dennis . May 5, 2022 . Ex-congresswoman Gina Reyes Mandanas, pumanaw na . Filipino . ABS-CBN News .
  6. News: Gina Mandanas, wife of Batangas Gov. Dodo Mandanas, passes away. May 7, 2024 . politiko.com.ph . May 5, 2022.