Former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta, 1944-2020

Aquino-Oreta was a staunch advocate for education. She chaired the Senate education committee from 1998 to 2004.

She was also behind the Early Childhood Care and Development Act, Solo Parent Act, Solid Waste Management Act, Philippine Micronutrient Fortification Program, Clean Air Act, E-Commerce Act, the Philippine High School System Act, Governance of Basic Education Act and the Philippine Landscape Architecture Act.

Aquino-Oreta served as a legislator in the House of Representatives for three consecutive terms, from 1987-1998, representing the district of Malabon-Navotas.

She also became the first woman to serve as Assistant Majority Floor Leader in the history of the Lower House.

She became a Lieutenant Colonel (Reserved) in the Philippine Air Force after earning a Master’s Degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines.