By DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
The country’s graft court Sandiganbayan and the Ombudsman, the prosecuting agency for corruption cases of public officials separately cleared Cong. Edgar Chatto from any graft and corruption cases in their respective jurisdictions.
This was bared by Sandiganbayan Chief Judicial Executive Staff Officer Sandra Calugay and Executive Clerk of Court Atty Ma. Teresa Pabulayan who issued a written clearance to the solon from any case filed or pending on January 24, 2024.
A similar pronouncement was also released by the Ombudsman, clearing Chatto’s name from any criminal or administrative graft and corruption case, signed by Graft Investigation Officer I Maria Agnes Forteza on January 4, 2024.
It was duly noted that the Joint Venture (JV) case of light and water with Salcon filed against the provincial officials of Bohol in People vs Rene Relampagos, et al was dismissed by the Supreme Court on September 16, 2020 and became final and executory on June 17, 2021.
This development is contrary to harsh critics labeling Chatto and his family on social media as corrupt.
Chatto is a multi-awarded public official in all posts he has held – provincial board member as youth sector representative of the Kabataang Barangay, municipal mayor of Balilihan, vice governor, congressman and governor.
Now, he is in his second term as congressman, a post he served for 9 years before becoming governor.
Political observers say that unlike other high ranking officials, Chatto lives a simple life not in a mansion but in his parent’s home. He does not own flashy bullet proof cars nor businesses using his influence and power even with the very influential positions he has held.
The Civil Service Commission attests that Chatto received all of the agency’s 3 highest national and regional awards in the Honor Awards Program for officials and employees; including the Dangal ng Bayan Award for consistent demonstration of exceptional ethical behavior in public wervice. The other 2 recognitions were the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for Outstanding Public Service and the PAGASA Award for exceptional and extraordinary contribution that directly benefits the public.
During his term as chief executive of Bohol, he was named by the Department of the Interior and Local Government among the country’s top 10 outstanding governors.
Bohol was also a consistent national awardee of the Seal of Good Local Governance and Seal of Good Financial House Keeping.
Chatto has been cited for his exceptional leadership in Bohol’s struggle to rise from the rubbles of the 2013 earthquake, Typhoon Yolanda, the Abu Sayaff incursion and many other challenges.
His leadership in Bohol and the Central Visayas Regional Development Council resulted to the completion of the New Bohol-Panglao International Airport, the New Provincial Capitol, the National Museum-Bohol, concreting of roads and many other trail blazing projects and programs in health, education, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and Information Technology.
He ended his term at the Capitol with Bohol at 9.1% Growth Rate, higher than the national average of 6.7%.
Bohol also registered over 100% rice self sufficiency, high employment rate, low unemployment rate and low poverty index, among many other economic indicators.
Supporters of Chatto said that detractors and critics of the solon are using all defamatory, malicious and libelous name calling to destroy his image as the election draws near.
When asked by media to comment, Chatto said that the allegations of his critics with no proof or shred of evidence are products of their own imagination backed by business and political patrons, who have long wanted to put him down in spite of his hard work and dedicated service to Bohol and the Boholanos.