A local newspaper has been accused of spreading “fake news” after publishing a story suggesting that Bohol First District Rep. Edgar M. Chatto and former Gov. Arthur Yap are planning to run as a tandem in the 2025 elections.
Balilihan Mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto, the congressman’s wife, took to social media to slam the Bohol Chronicle for publishing the questionable headline story, which she said was misleading and generated confusion among readers.
The newspaper’s headline, “Chatto-Yap Tandem for 2025?”, was presented as a question, but Mayor Chatto argued that it was still likely to cause misinformation.
The congressman himself denied the rumors, saying that he has no plans to run for governor and will instead seek reelection as congressman for a third and final term.
In an interview with the Open Forum program over DYTR, Chatto said that he has plenty of plans and projects for the first district that remain unrealized, and he wants to use his final term to complete them.
Board member Benjie Arcamo also came to Chatto’s defense, insisting that the congressman will seek reelection and will not run for governor.
Arcamo said that Chatto told him that he will run as congressman and will not seek a post in the provincial government.
Arcamo also denied that there were any discussions within the Padayon Bol-anon party about pushing Chatto to run for governor or Yap to run for vice governor.
The controversy exposes the newspaper’s alleged lack of fact-checking and responsible journalism, especially in the lead-up to elections, observers said.
Mayor Chatto urged the public to be cautious of fake news and to verify information before sharing it.
The Bohol Chronicle has not issued a statement or correction regarding the story.