Gov. Arthur Yap has posed a challenge to members of Bohol media to be either part of those who obstruct and abate the solution to a problem or to be part the solution itself, especially now that the province is reeling from the effects of the fury of typhoon Odette.

During the governor’s press conference on Dec. 30, 2021 at the Capitol, Yap said the challenges can be hurdled if we, as a people, unite and help one another.

“Mao ni ang punto nga gusto nako ipaambit kaninyong tanan. Naa tay duha ka pilian: either mahimo tang babag or mahimo tang solusyon,” the governor challenged especially some segments of the media industry who are critical to Yap’s administration.

It is known that the governor has called out The Bohol Chronicle and its radio station dyRD for allegedly twisting and creating news designed to malign his person and besmirch his reputation as the province’s highest elected official.

Yap said that he has been open to the members of media whenever the latter would like to talk to him or has questions for him. However, he is asking them [members of media] to be truthful in their reporting and shun away from twisting the facts.

There was a portion of the press conference where The Bohol Chronicle’s senior writer, Chito Visarra, asked the governor’s lines of communication to remain open. To this statement of Visarra, the governor gave a candid reply. The governor said:

“My lines of communication have always been open to any member of media who has something to ask from me. But ang hangyo nako is kung pwede e-schedule nato ug maayo, ang timing ug ang schedule. Tell me when you want me to appear in your programs ok ra nako. Mutubag man ko sa mga pangutana kay parte man na sa atong responsibilidad ang magpahibaw sa mga katawhan. It is my job to give you information,” Yap said.

At this point the governor went on the offensive by saying: “But I also ask the media, to not use the opportunity nga tuison ang mga statements namo. If you will ask me a question, I will give you my answer. Do not twist and do not instigate negative news.”

The governor then doubled down on his offensive by saying: “If you continue to violate my rights as a Filipino, you give me no choice, but to seek refuge under the law to protect my rights.”

It can be remembered that Yap filed a case of inciting to sedition against The Bohol Chronicle’s associate editor and dyRD’s general manager Peter Dejaresco, businessman Emmanuel “Willy” Ramasola and former Tagbilaran mayor Dan Neri Lim in September last year. The case remains pending at the Prosecutor’s Office of Makati.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Two former provincial governors lashed out at the inaccurate reportage of
media outlets regarding the impact of the typhoon during the same press
conference.

Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos chided at dyRD/The Bohol Chronicle by saying that the media should help instead of adding to the woes faced by the Boholanos through alleged fake news.

Relampagos defended Yap by saying that the latter was correct in declaring that the province’s funds for the calamity response is down to P30 million, days after the disaster.

“Usahay man gud kining mostorya ta daghang [ta ug] hunahuna. Ang atong hangyo sa media is a little understanding, a little allowance. Nga imbes nga mudugang ta sa problema, mutabang ta [sa solusyon]. Ang problema man gud nato dinhi sa Bohol [media], is MANGITA TA UG BIKIL ARON MAMAUT [ang sitwasyon],” Relampagos said. He added that there are instances that a segment of the media would spend lots of time in fault finding or cherry picking information just to make the provincial government look bad.

“Let’s call spade a spade. Mao nang giingon nga makita man gud nato nga sa kanunay ituis ang anything magamit; [kung] one word [ang] matuis, mamaot na ang administrasyon ni gobernador [ug] maoy kapadak-an,” the vice governor said.

The reaction of the vice governor came following the statement of Visarra during the press conference that said that the information released by Yap to President Duterte was not fully qualified and emphasized. According to Visarra, Yap’s statement to Duterte should have indicated that the budget mentioned by Yap that was down to its last P30 million was for the quick response funds

Observers said that the dyRD reportedly harped on the particular statement of Yap that told President Duterte that the provincial government has only P30 million to spare for typhoon victims. The media entity allegedly painted a picture showing that the provincial government is “bankrupt” and is no longer financially capable to support any relief efforts to ease the sufferings of the victims of typhoon Odette.

Relampagos said that it is time to step up and be of help rather than be an additional burden at this time when the province is facing great difficulty.

“Swerte si [former Gov.] Edgar [Chatto]. Swerte ko nga wala mi makaagi sa giagian ni Art Yap. Di lalim ang iyang giagian,” Relampagos explained.

Another former governor Edgar Chatto, who is now the 1st district congressman, defended the administration from orchestrated attacks aimed to paint a bad picture of the governor and his government.

Chatto said that the fastest path to recovery from the impact of typhoon Odette is for everyone to unite.

Chatto expressed concerns on how discussions are being presented on mainstream media giving “half-truths” or [statements that are] “not true at all”.

“if we really want truth to be in the forefront, let us ask everyone to look for the persons who can give the truth,” Chatto said.

The congressman said that he heard over the radio about the provincial government reportedly having financial problems to respond to the calamity.

He said that it is impossible for the provincial government to become bankrupt. In fact, according to Chatto, he asked Provincial Budget Officer Peter Retutal to explain to him the fiscal situation of the province. He asked Retutal to explain even if Chatto knows how the provincial government works, he having been a governor of Bohol from 2010 to 2019.

The congressman then asked Budget Officer Retutal if anybody from the media asked him [Retutal] for an explanation on what Yap told Duterte. Retutal said he no media personality asked him to explain about the disaster funds.

THE PROMISE

Yap said that he cannot promise he will be able to solve all of Bohol’s problems. Instead, he promised to work tirelessly in finding solutions to the problems.

“Di ko kapasalig nga masulbad ang tanang problema. But akong isaad kaninyong tanan, nga dili ko muundang sa pagpangita sa solusyon,” the governor quipped.

Yap emphasized that he is being ably assisted by the hardworking employees at the provincial government in solving the crisis the province has been facing after the onslaught of typhoon Odette.

Moreover, Yap also paid tribute to the mayors and the punong barangays including the disaster risk reduction officers, law enforcement units, and the private sector saying, “They too play a crucial role in solving Bohol’s problem.”

He also recognized the efforts of the volunteers who helped in the relief operations of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) at the Bohol Wisdom School (BWS).