CONG. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First district Cong. Edgar Chatto laughs off the
rumor that he and his family were bound for the
United States, allegedly for health treatment.
Chatto confirmed that he and his family are on
vacation, but they decided to stay within the
country.
Chatto made the statement during a radio
interview on Newsmakers Ug Uban Pa, which
aired on Dec. 29, 2024. The program is anchored
by Ardy Araneta-Batoy, who is also the managing
editor of The Bohol Tribune.
At the same time, Chatto chided rumor about the
alleged reason he and his family were visiting the
US.
The congressman said that contrary to
insinuations on social media, he is healthy.
“[I am] very okay, ma’am. Simbako, simbako
palayo, dili tawon tinood tong prostate cancer,” he
told Araneta-Batoy.
He mentioned that he would never speak ill of
others.
“Kahibaw ang mga igsoon natong Bol-anon nga
well mannered baya ta sa mga paagi ug sinulti-an.
Careful ta nga wala’y mahiubos,” he added.
A Facebook page alleged that the congressman
and his family were scheduled to fly to the US
because the solon needed to seek treatment for
“prostate cancer.”
The rumor said that the Chattos were supposed to
leave for the US a day after Christmas and return
on Jan. 3, 2023.
Moreover, Chatto said it has been a tradition within
his family to spend the New Year outside Bohol.
He said that he and his family are on a holiday
somewhere in Luzon.
“Sa New year, kanunay nga tradisyon sa pamilya
nga we spend our own vacation outside Bohol.
Love the Philippines ta, kay we are supporting the
tourism program. So ang atong destination sa new
year 2024 is ang Pilipinas tungod kay “Love the
Philippines” man ang atong theme karon. So nia ta
sa Manila karon. Pero daghang mga nindot nga
bisita-an pod, near the Manila area,” the
congressman said.
An FB page known as Bohol Marites posted a
photo showing a portion of an alleged
communication coming from the leadership of the
House of Representatives.
The communication was in line with the travel
authority allegedly requested by Chatto to leave
the country for the US.
The post added that Chatto needed to go to the
US, allegedly for prostate cancer treatment.
Chatto admitted that there were invitations for him
and his family to visit the US. The congressman’s
siblings in America were the ones who invited the
solon.
However, Chatto had a change of mind and opted
to spend the holidays in the country instead of in
the US.
“Naa tay invitation sa atong mga igsoon, naa man
gyud didto [sa US], sa Chicago, most of them ang
usa naa sa LA. Si Pureza naa pod igsoon sa New
York. Diha silay invitation. In fact, option namo to.
That’s one of our oprions. Pero, we finally decided
to stay. Kana tingali atong sige ug post-post diha,
nakadungog nga apil na sa among consideration,
wa mag huwat ug ga una-una. Siya na lang ang
palargaha kay mao man kahay iyang huna-huna.
Basta kami nia mis Pilipinas,” Chatto said.
The solon insisted that no one could dictate to him
what to do with his life.
He said it was his option to file for a leave.
However, he also has the option of taking a leave
of absence or not.
“Ato man nang katungod ang mag set ug vacation.
Dire sa congress, ug diha sa local government,
bisan sa capitolyo, mo file gani ka ug leave that is
your option,” the solon explained.
“Whether you continue on with that vacation o dili,
imo man nang personal nga choice,” he quipped.
In an earlier interview with Araneta-Batoy, Balilihan
Mayor Pureza Chatto admitted that she filed for a
vacation and forced leave.
She said her filing for leave could be the reason
behind some netizens concocting the rumor that
the Chattos are spending the holidays outside the
country.