Stalwarts of the Padayon Bol-anon Balilihan fired back at their critics and answer the issues against them in a radio interview on Mar. 15, 2022.
The stalwarts, who participated in the radio interview over Open Forum hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy, were led by Balilihan mayor Pureza Chatto and Atty. Trisha Chatto. They are running for mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
The mother and daughter tandem was joined in the radio interview by Coun. Edgar Asilo, Coun. Bernie Lansang, Councilor Mayan Chatto-Calipes, Jun Pabe, and Coun. Jun Baliong.
The group answered criticisms leveled against them including the issue about an alleged pre-shaded ballot, photo of which has been circulating on social media.
Pabe explained that the ballot that has been pre-shaded is not official but a facsimile being used as a promotional material of the group.
Atty. Trisha seconded Pabe by saying that pre shading an actual official ballot is illegal. They, however, printed a facsimile of the published ballot by the Comission on Elections (Comelec) for the promotion of the candidacy of the stalwarts of Padayon Bol-anon Balilihan.
She added that the official ballot has security features. The sample ballot the group has been distributing is meant to guide the voters where the names of their preferred candidates are located on the actual ofricial ballot.
Furthermore,Mayan Chatto explained why the team has been delivering galvanized iron sheets (GI sheets) to beneficiaries after office hours by saying the mayor has plenty of important things to attend to during office hours at the town hall. Thus, the mayor can only join the distribution operations after office hours.
Mayor Pureza seconded what Mayan bared by saying that delivering the galvanized iron sheets after office hours is more convenient for the recipients.
Atty. Trisha also bared that the GI sheets distributed to almost 500 beneficiaries in the town are financed from donations and personal funds of the Chattos. She emphasized that no government funds were used to purchase the construction materials given to beneficiaries whose houses were damaged due to the typhoon.
Moreover, Mayor Chatto categorically denied that the town government has already signed a memorandum of agreement with a water resource developer.
“Wala pa jud tay gipirmahan nga memorandum of agreement between the LGI and another private investor for that matter,” the mayor said in the radio interview aired over dyTR’s Balita FM 91.9.
On water sanitation, Baliong commented that the water supply in Balilihan is being monitored well and health authorities have been informaing the public how to make the water safer.
There are purified water refilling stations providing safe drinking water for residents of the town, Baliong added.
On the other hand, regarding the issue on the P5,000 cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Mayor Chatto said that the funds will not be downloaded to the local government unit (LGU). The DSWD itself will be the one to distribute the said cash assistance. The LGU will just provide assistance during the payout, the mayor explained.
She added that it is not true that the LGU is already in possession of the funds but allegedly refused to distribute the same to beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Padayon Bol-anon Balilihan group will start their self-titled radio program on dyTR-AM live streaming from 2 to 3 pm. The program is broadcasting from Monday to Friday.