People

Regal Mendoza Oliva

Candidate for representative of the Lone District of the City of Mandaue, Cebu (2025)

Regal Mendoza Oliva is a Cebu-based lawyer and former public finance officer.

She served as Mandaue City treasurer for 16 years, including 11 years in a regular capacity. In 2024, she resigned to pursue a congressional seat and challenge incumbent Mandaue City Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon.

She accused Dizon of orchestrating her transfer to Navotas City, which she believed was a strategic move to sideline her. This incident was cited as a turning point that motivated her entry into the congressional race.

Before becoming Mandaue City treasurer, she worked for seven years at Tacloban City Hall as the chief of staff of former mayor Alfredo Romualdez and later as head of the treasury office’s licensing division.

She received her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1999 and master’s degree in fiscal administration in 2001 from Silliman University. She studied law at the University of San Carlos and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2014.

As of 2023, she is the first transgender woman to become president of the Cebu Lady Lawyers Association, and is the internal vice president of Women’s Advocacy Organization, Zonta Club of Cebu II.