By Sunday Post
The gubernatorial duel between two formidable opponents is heating up with V-Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera demanding an accounting of the P630-M pork barrel allegedly appropriated to his political nemesis Cong. Edgar Chatto.
Where did the pork barrel amounting to a total of P630-million go?
Herrera raised this question in response to queries from citizens on how government funds are being spent in Bohol .
He said Rep. Chatto should answer this question once and for all instead of being evasive and resorting to dilatory tactics.
“This question must be answered not only because this involves a huge amount but because it involves the credibility of the government,†Herrera said.
A congressman receives a yearly allocation of P70-M to finance development funds in his district. Chatto is serving the last of his three terms or a total of nine years.
Despite the size of the budget, Herrera said he is at a loss whenever people confront him about this.
“I do not want to insinuate anything but the people have the right to know how their taxes are being spent,†he added.
The vice-governor declined to comment when asked whether the controversial road improvement projects in at least three towns in the first district are funded by the solon’s discretionary funds.
Herrera also refused to comment on reports that Chatto allocated funds from his pork barrel to other districts in the province.
“It would be premature to comment on that,†he added.
The vice-governor, however, added that he would not be surprised if the reports are true but refused to elaborate.
Herrera admitted that many barangays benefited from Chatto’s pork barrel allocations but this does not justify his refusal to release an official list.
“On the contrary, he has more reason to come out with the list because this would be good for his candidacy,†the vice-governor added.
Herrera and Chatto are slugging it out for the post to be vacated by Gov. Erico Aumentado who is seeking to return to his old seat in the second district.
Also vying for governor is actor Cesar Montano but the latter’s campaign has failed to take off until this time.
Aumentado is facing a stiff challenge from Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes, wife of outgoing Rep. Roberto Cajes who is swapping places with his wife.
Chatto and Cajes were part of the triumvirate that included ex-Rep. Eladio Jala but the latter abandoned his bid to replace his son, incumbent Rep. Adam Relson Jala with the entry of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
Herrera said most people who confront him about the status of Chatto’s pork barrel have started to be disillusioned with the government.
The vice-governor added that if Chatto wants people to keep faith in the government, he should do his share by being transparent about the funds in his discretion.
“His continues silence will open him to insinuations of impropriety or even corruption,†Herrera warned.
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