News Briefs

FORTUNA DROPS CONSULTANCY CONTRACT

A CONSULTANCY contract was already approved by the Mandaue City Council but former vice mayor Carlo Fortuna is not keen on signing it.

The  contract for the Mandaue City government’s Assets and Properties that was recommended by the Bids and Awards committee (BAC) will run up to one month.

The contract was to start on Dec. 1 and end on the 31st for  an P18,000 consultancy fee.

“I hope there’s a reasonable explanation for this because it  looks like a bad joke,” Fortuna said.

He said the contract could have started on the date of signing and ended a year later.

City Administrator and ABC vice chairman James Abadia said he sees no issue with the one month contract.

He said  Fortuna’s contract was submitted to the BAC only in November and the  book of accounts is already closed by December.

Abadia said they can renew Fortuna’s services by January.

Fortuna ran under the opposition party in last year’s elections. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza

LACSON, LUIGI SPEAK ON IMPEACHMENT

SEN. Panfilo Lacson yesterday vowed to vote with his conscience in the coming impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

During last Friday’s opening of the “Heroes Hall” along Plaridel Street in barangay Looc, Mandaue City, Lacson said he “will use his conscience” in casting his vote .

In a separate interview, Rep. Luis Gabriel Quisumbing of Cebu’s 6th district dismissed reports that the lawmakers were pressured to sign the impeachment complaint in order to get their pork barrels intact.

“Only one third votes of the Lower House are required for the impeachment to proceed. You don’t need a majority (vote),” Quisumbing said.

He said he voted for the impeachment trial because he wants Corona to answer the charges against him.

About 180 of the 285 lawmakers including four Cebuano lawmakers signed the impeachment complain against Corona. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza