Friday, August 24, 2007 Fortuna to seek league’s national presidency
MANDAUE City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna yesterday confirmed reports that he is being prodded to run for the national presidency of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines.
“Yes, the governor is endorsing me, and I feel honored. As a member of the One Cebu party, which the governor heads, I will abide,” Fortuna said in an interview during yesterday’s Sun.Star Economic Forum.
With Fortuna vying for the post, the Visayas votes will be divided as he will be running against Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama.
Rama already reportedly campaigned before Cebu Province’s vice mayors in a gathering two weeks ago. This will be his third attempt at getting the national presidency.
Medellin Vice Mayor Michael Miranda had disclosed that Cebu’s vice mayors did not give their commitment to Rama because of the possibility that Fortuna will also run.
This morning, the local vice mayors’ league will hold its elections.
Like the mayors’ league, the vice mayors are expected to have a smooth-sailing elections as opposed to the fiercely contested ones in the previous terms.
The ruling One Cebu party is expected to have no opponent in the league elections, and Miranda revealed that two weeks ago, the group already approved in principle who their officials will be.
The Philippine Councilors’ League, meanwhile, will hold its elections on Aug. 27. Alfie Ouano has campaigned for his re-election, but other members are hoping it will be a free zone among the governor’s allies.
Councilor Ricardo Pepito had expressed interest to replace Ouano, but he said he will respect the decision of the governor if the latter endorses a specific candidate. (JPM)
