He would return as Bukidnon governor in 1980. He avoided being immediately being replaced with a caretaker governor after the People Power Revolution which deposed Marcos and had Corazon Aquino installed as president by switching allegiance and burning an image of Marcos and his wife Imelda in Malaybalay. He would be replaced as governor in December 1987 by vice governor Esmeraldo Cudal.[1]
Fortich became governor again of Bukidnon in 1992 and was re-elected for two consecutive terms. His governorship ended in 2001. He launched a failed bid to get elected as mayor of Valencia in 2001 before deciding to retire from politics.[1]
Death
Fortich died on February 24, 2019, at the Capitol University Medical Center (CUMC) in Cagayan de Oro.[3] He was 83 years old. His remains were buried at the Shepherds Meadow Memorial Park in Malaybalay.[4]