Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Namesakes defend mayoral ambitions By Aledel Gonzalez-Cuizon Sun.Star Staff Reporter
MAYORAL aspirants Edgar Cortes and Eric Fortuna denied allegations they aren’t fit to run for mayor of Mandaue City, saying they have the capacity and qualifications to do so.
Cortes, Fortuna and another aspirant, Lolita Ouano, appeared before the regional office of the Commission on Election (Comelec) yesterday afternoon, where they faced the candidates who filed petitions to declare them as nuisance candidates.
Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano filed petitions against Lolita and Fortuna, first cousin of Jonkie’s running mate, Carlo Pontico Fortuna.
Another mayoral hopeful, acting Vice Mayor Jonas Cortes, filed the petition against Edgar, who registered the nickname “Jon.”
Comelec Central Visayas Director Rene Buac gave all the parties five days to submit memoranda containing additional evidence.
Manila’s call
Edgar and Eric were able to give their respective responses to the petitions filed against them during the deadline last Saturday.
Lolita, however, wasn’t able to file hers on time but Buac said she could incorporate it in her memorandum.
The petitions are only received at the regional office since it is the head office in Manila that will decide on them.
Edgar and Jonas shook hands yesterday after they, through their respective counsels, agreed that any official communication addressed to Edgar would be delivered to his lawyers.
Edgar’s residency in Barangay Banilad is being questioned by Jonas’ camp.
A copy of Jonas’ petition was not delivered to Edgar at the address that the latter indicated in his certificate of candidacy (COC).
Edgar reportedly doesn’t live in Banilad, where he once served as barangay councilor and barangay captain.
But in the hearing yesterday, lawyer Danilo Yap said that all communications for Edgar could be sent to his office in Cebu City.
In an interview, Edgar said he only failed to indicate his house number in the COC and that he lives in the interior portion of the barangay.
Qualifications
He also denied that he was asked by the Ouano camp to run for mayor, saying he has long been planning to do so.
He explained that he was able to file his COC shortly before the deadline because he was waiting for his siblings from the United States to signal that they will support him financially.
Asked to comment on the petition filed against him, Edgar replied, “Mas politiko pa ko ana nila. Mas qualified pa ko (I am more of a politician and more qualified than they are).”
Edgar also explained that he is nicknamed “Jon” because when he was little, he resembled his grandfather.
In his response to Jonas’ petition, Edgar said he doesn’t intend to “put the election process in mockery.”
“What matters most is the capacity, the dedication, the inexpugnable track record in public service and the resolve of the respondent to serve as mayor of Mandaue, where herein petitioner cannot take it from him,” Edgar’s response said.
Eric arrived at the Comelec office yesterday without a lawyer.
Lawyer Mark Anthony Rosal represented Jonkie, who also filed a petition to declare Eric a nuisance candidate.
No mockery
In an interview, Eric said he had long planned his candidacy for mayor, adding that he wants to be a public servant.
Asked to comment about his uncle’s negative reaction to his candidacy, Eric said nobody can decide for him.
“Di siya kabuot sa akong life. Wa man ko manghilabot (He can’t control my life. I am not interfering),” he said. Eric said he has started campaigning despite his meager funds.
In his response to Jonkie’s petition, Eric denied that he has no income and no platform of government.
“It goes beyond reason how my candidacy can mislead the public or cause confusion among the electorate, or how my candidacy would put the election process in mockery and disrepute. I do not like to think that my candidacy will affect petitioner’s chances of winning, as he is so inclined to believe by having filed the instant petition. On the other hand, my candidacy should be the least of his worries,” Eric wrote in response.
