Wikipedia

Antolin Oreta III

Antolin "Lenlen" Aquino Oreta III (born September 16, 1971),[1] is a Filipino politician who has served as a member of the House of Representatives representing the at-large district of Malabon since 2025. He was mayor of Malabon from 2012 to 2022 and Vice Mayor from 2010 up until his succession as mayor. He is the son of former senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta.

Lenlen Oreta
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Malabon's Lone District
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2025
Preceded byJosephine Lacson-Noel
Mayor of Malabon
In office
September 3, 2012[a] – June 30, 2022
Vice Mayor
  • Diosdado Cunanan (Acting, 2012–2013)
  • Jeannie Sandoval (2013–2019)
  • Bernard dela Cruz (2019–2022)
Preceded byTito Oreta
Succeeded byJeannie Sandoval
Vice Mayor of Malabon
In office
June 30, 2010 – March 1, 2012
Mayor
Tito Oreta
Preceded byArnold Vicencio
Succeeded byDiosdado Cunanan
Member of the Malabon City Council
In office
June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010
Personal details
BornAntolin Aquino Oreta III
(1971-09-16) September 16, 1971 (age 54)
PartyNUP (2024–present)
Other political
affiliations
Liberal (2009–2024)
NPC (2007–2009)
LDP (2006–2007)
Spouse
Melissa Grace Sison
​
(m. 2014)​
Parent
RelativesBam Aquino (cousin)
Kiko Aquino Dee (Cousin)
ProfessionPolitician

Early life and education

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Oreta was born on September 16, 1971, as the second of the four children of businessman Antolin Oreta Jr. and former senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta.[2] He completed his elementary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila University in Manila.[3] He earned a bachelor's degree in Japanese Studies at Sophia University in Tokyo.[4]

Professional career

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Before entering politics, Oreta III worked as an Associate for Keppel Securities from 1995 to 1997 and Assistant Vice President Dealer at Merrill Lynch.[3] He also became Dealer and Vice President for Finance at ABN-AMRO Securities and Intra Strata Assurance Corporation consecutively.[5][2]

Political career

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Oreta started his political career under the Nationalist People's Coalition when he ran as Councilor of Malabon in 2007.[3]

Vice Mayor (2010-2012)

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In 2010, he was elected as Vice Mayor of the same city, this time under the Liberal Party,[6][7]

Mayor (2012-2022)

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In March 2012, Oreta assumed the position of acting mayor replacing his uncle, the late Canuto Oreta,[8] after the latter died of lung cancer in September 2012, He became Mayor of Malabon.[9] Later, he ran for the mayoralty race for his first official term and won the election unopposed.[10][11] Oreta then went on to run for his second and third term during 2016 and 2019 elections, competing against then-Congresswoman Jaye Lacson-Noel and then Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval in those respective elections.[12][13]

During his tenure, Oreta implemented various social and local development programs. In 2015, the city government launched initiatives aimed at addressing child malnutrition through community-based nutrition interventions.[14] He also promoted local tourism and economic activity by supporting projects such as organized tricycle tours highlighting Malabon’s narrow streets, heritage sites, and local cuisine.[15] His administration likewise focused on strengthening public health services, education, and social welfare programs, including efforts to reduce poverty and improve healthcare access in the city.[16]

In 2020, Oreta ordered an investigation into alleged anomalies at the City of Malabon University (CMU), including reported irregularities in enrollment records.[17] Subsequent complaints related to university operations were later filed by private individuals. In 2022, a former CMU officer-in-charge stated that the university had complied with documentary requirements related to its status under the Commission on Higher Education’s UniFAST program.[18]

In October 2021, Oreta announced that he would not seek any position in the 2022 elections.[1]

Post-Mayor

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In March 2025, a tricycle driver, Romeo Dimaunahan, filed a complaint against Oreta alleging graft and corruption in connection with the incomplete distribution of electric tricycles for a drivers’ association, with 42 units reportedly valued at ₱22.4 million unaccounted for during his local administration. Oreta’s camp described the complaint as part of a larger smear campaign and a series of corruption-related accusations filed during the 2025 election period.[19]

House of Representatives (since 2025)

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In 2024, he ran for Representative of Malabon House of Representative under the National Unity Party.[20] On May 13, 2025, Oreta won as members of House of Representatives of the Philippines.[21][22]

On October 21, 2025, a resident, Tomas Santos Cruz, filed a complaint against Oreta and Helen Edith Lee Tan, president of International Builders Corporation, alleging irregularities in the rehabilitation of the Tugatog Cemetery and possible violations of anti-graft laws.[23] Oreta and his camp denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and part of a smear campaign during the election period.[19] A separate fact-check report by The Philippine Star earlier clarified that the Tugatog Cemetery remains public property owned by the Malabon city government and was not sold to any private entity, contrary to circulating claims online.[24]

As a legislator, Oreta advocated for clearer food labeling policies to address rising obesity among Filipinos. He filed House Bill No. 6147, or the proposed “Healthy Food Environment Act,” which seeks to introduce front-of-pack nutrition labels to help consumers make informed food choices.[25]

As of 2025, Oreta has authored and co-authored multiple bills in the House of Representatives. Among these is a measure seeking to strengthen mental health services in state universities and colleges.[26]

As a member of the House of Representatives, Oreta serves in several committees, including Appropriations, Civil Service and Professional Regulation, Constitutional Amendments, Disaster Resilience, Housing and Urban Development, Metro Manila Development, Public Works and Highways, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, Ways and Means, and Welfare of Children. He also serves as vice chairperson of the Committees on Cooperatives Development, Higher and Technical Education, and Youth and Sports Development, and chairperson of the Committee on West Philippine Sea.[27]

Personal life

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Oreta is married to Melissa Grace Sison, a recognized chef by profession whom he met at the Salumeria restaurant in Makati in the early 1990s.[28][29] Their wedding ceremony was held on May 30, 2014, at the San Bartolome Church in Malabon.[28]

Electoral history

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Electoral history of Antolin Oreta III
Year Office Party Votes received Result
Total % P. Swing
2007 Councilor (Malabon–1st) LDP 36,329 N/a 1st N/a Won
2010 Vice Mayor of Malabon Liberal 80,834 68.91% 1st N/a Won
2013 Mayor of Malabon 69,555 100.00% 1st N/a Unopposed
2016 78,899 54.40% 1st -45.6 Won
2019 100,795 64.22% 1st +9.82 Won
2025 Representative (Malabon–at–large) NUP 84,940 45.71% 1st N/a Won

Notes

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  1. ↑ Acting from March 1 to September 3, 2012.

References

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  1. 1 2 "Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta no longer running in 2022 elections". Manila Bulletin. October 3, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Villamente, Jing (February 7, 2025). "Oreta's vision: Progressive Malabon". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Torrevillas, Domini M. (April 16, 2019). "Malabon's pride". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  4. ↑ Agoncillo, Jodee A. (May 10, 2016). "Malabon, Valenzuela mayors get fresh terms in office". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Antolin "Len Len" Oreta III Biography". December 28, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Proclaimed local candidates as of May 16". GMA News Online. May 16, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ Echemineda, Perseus (May 12, 2010). "Unopposed Oreta, allies win in Malabon". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  8. ↑ Mangunay, Kristine Felisse (March 10, 2012). "Malabon leadership row solved". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Melican, Nathaniel (September 3, 2012). "Malabon Mayor Tito Oreta passes away; 73". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ Balagtas See, Aie (May 17, 2013). "Malabon vice mayor wins with 575-vote margin". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Candidates officially proclaimed winners in the 2013 Elections". GMA Integrated News. GMA Network. May 14, 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  12. ↑ "Malabon's Oreta re-elected, but mother Tessie loses". The Manila Times. May 12, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  13. ↑ Adel, Rosette (May 14, 2019). "'Duterte magic' did not work like a charm for Malabon's local slate". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  14. ↑ Philippine Daily Inquirer. (2015). “Malabon City launches program to address malnutrition.” https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1298489/malabon-city-launches-program-to-address-malnutrition
  15. ↑ Philippine Daily Inquirer. (2015). “Malabon City tricycle tours: Narrow streets, wide choices.” https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/682053/malabon-city-tricycle-tours-narrow-streets-wide-choices
  16. ↑ Manila Standard. (2022). “Transforming Malabon to a stronger and more capable city.” https://manilastandard.net/?p=314242021
  17. ↑ "Oreta orders probe of alleged anomalies at City of Malabon University". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 29, 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  18. ↑ "Former CMU officer-in-charge speaks on university's removal from CHED UniFAST". Manila Bulletin. September 10, 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  19. 1 2 Eguia, Aljon Danniell (March 16, 2025). "Oreta dubs graft rap a 'smear' job". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  20. ↑ "Ex-Malabon Mayor Oreta guns for lone congressional seat". Manila Standard. October 2, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  21. ↑ Gozum, Iya (May 13, 2025). "Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval wins second term". Rappler. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Malabon voters re-elect Jeannie Sandoval as mayor". The Philippine Star. May 13, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  23. ↑ Matabang, Angelica (October 21, 2025). "Malabon Rep. Oreta faces complaints over alleged botched rehabilitation of Tugatog Cemetery". DZRH. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  24. ↑ "Fact check: Tugatog cemetery in Malabon not sold to private entity, undergoing redevelopment". The Philippine Star. October 13, 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  25. ↑ "Obesity among Pinoys worries Oreta; says clear food labels a must". Manila Bulletin. February 26, 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  26. ↑ "Legislative documents and authored bills". House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  27. ↑ "Committee Membership". House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Antolin Oreta III & Melissa Sison: Love made in food heaven". The Philippine Star. May 25, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  29. ↑ Yalao, Khriscielle (February 4, 2022). "Malabon City holds groundbreaking rites for new university building". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
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