MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Raymund Fortun defended his client, Angelica Yulo, mother of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo’s call for a press conference which to many was a contradiction to her plea for privacy to her son, members of the media and the netizens over family matters.
In a Facebook post, Fortun said a press conference was needed to address the misconceptions that spread all across social media as a result of her statements channeled through public platforms such as her previous interview with the media.
“It was imperative for Mrs. Yulo to correct these errors and misimpressions about her actions also in a public manner, because the public was clearly involved. It had to be in a press conference that I CAN CONTROL because i am beside her — to apologize for what she said, to tell her son publicly that she loves him still, and to tell the son AND the public that she is happy that he won,” he said.
The press conference on Thursday showed an emotional mother in tears as she was reading her statement of clarity and apology to her estranged son. However, many saw a contradiction with her wish for privacy and her call for a press conference.
This was defended by Fortun.
“Sorry to break some detractors’ hearts, but the tears you saw yesterday were real. When Mrs. Yulo finished reading her statement, the room was dead silent for a full minute. Everyone there knew that she spoke from the heart,” Fortun said.
For Fortun, the forum might not be understandable for many but it was needed because
“the path to healing the family and the nation.”
“Not all will understand, not all will approve of my methods. But I just had to do what needs to be done at the quickest time, without fear of the consequences. A lawyer is also a peacemaker,” he said.
Fortun, who said his priority is to fix the family, said Thursday’s press conference will be the last.
