Governor: PRIDCO pick criticized for being pro-statehood

Regarding Roberto Lefranc Fortuño’s ability to lead the Industrial Development Company, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said she needs someone “who commands and acts.” (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón)

By The Star Staff

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Monday defended the transfer of Roberto Lefranc Fortuño from the Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development of Puerto Rico (ODSEC) to the Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO).

“I find it highly questionable that Roberto Lefranc is criticized for being a statehooder, because if he hadn’t been one of the people elected to defend statehood in Congress, no one would have questioned this appointment,” the governor said at a press conference. “If I had appointed a pro-independence activist, no one would have questioned the appointment. But since he is young and was elected to work on the country’s affairs in Congress, he is being questioned. I believe the official was approved by the Puerto Rican Senate, did an excellent job, and will do excellent work at PRIDCO.”

When asked why she made the move when she had claimed she had received more than 8,000 resumes during the recruitment process, González Colón stated that this is not the first time an official has held various government positions.

Regarding Lefranc Fortuño’s ability to lead the public corporation, she said she needs someone “who commands and acts.”

Lefranc Fortuño was replaced at ODSEC by former Sen. Keren Riquelme Cabrera.