Fortuna: Case is politically motivated

By Darwin A Alido

MANDAUE City-Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna shrugged off the criminal case filed against him saying it was politically motivated.

Last week, Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas recommended the filing of criminal case in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Fortuna for practicing his law profession while holding a government office.

The case filed by Ariston Cortes III came after Fortuna represented his father, a former city councilor who was facing charges before the Sandiganbayan along with former mayor Alfredo Ouano on August 14, 2003.

Fortuna is already cleared of his administrative charges but still faces criminal cases.
Philip Camiguing, graft investigator said Fortuna, who was a councilor then, violated Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code (LGC).

Camiguing’s recommendation was approved by Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago.

The government code prohibits lawyer members of the city council to use their profession in cases that involve government officials, said Camiguing.

The Ombudsman said even if Fortuna was granted the permission to practice his profession, he was not on official leave when he attended the hearing at the Sandiganbayan.

Fortuna, however, said he owed his profession from his father. His move to be the legal counsel of his father caused no damage to the city government, he added.

The case is considered to be his personal duty as it was filed not by the city government but by his family’s political opponent, the vice mayor stressed./PN