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BREAKING NEWS: AS OF MAY 8, 2010 , ACTOR CESAR MONTANO AND LAKAS BET EDGAR M. CHATTO STASTICALLY TIE SA LATEST SURVEY SA HNU...GUI CONDUCT ANG MAONG SURVEY KANIATONG 2ND WEEK AND 4TH WEEK SA APRIL...THRILLING KAAYO ANG GUBERNATORIAL DERBY...NECK TO NECK ANG PINILIAY KAY TABLA NA SI MONTANO AND CHATTO 42% AND HERRERA NAKAKUHA UG 18%... STAY TUNE MORE NEWS...  

THERES A REPORT NGA SUGOD NA PUD PINALITAY SA KAMPO NI CHATTO AND CAJES SA 2ND DISTRICT TAG P300 TO P500 PESOS... SA 3RD DISTRICT NAMALIT SI CHATTO AND CONCHING LIM COMBINED P300 PESOS... GRABE ANG KWARTA NILA NI CHATTO -CAJES-CONCHING LIM AWAS AWAS....CAJES TARGET TARGET ANG STYLES SA KABARYUHAN P50,000 TAGA BRGY KAPITAN  PLUS 300 PER VOTES SA MGA DAGKOG BOTANTE SA 2ND DISTRICT... KANING PANGHITABOA ANG NAG REPORT NIANI ANG MGA RELIABLE SOURCE SA MGA WARD LEADER UG SA BANTAY DAYA SA BOHOL...

KINSAY CORRUPT NILANG DUHA ACTOR CESAR MONTANO OR SI CONGRESSMAN EDGAR M. CHATTO???
As we know Cesar montano is a NEW face in bohol politics while Chatto is a experienced or season politician...Kinsa nilang duha makahatag ug dakog kausaban sa bohol politics nga karon haskang hugawa sa maong piniliay sa Mayo 2010... Mga botante Vote/ Kinsay corrupt nilang duha? Chatto or Montano???

LOCAL, NOT NATIONAL COALITION

Bohol Times
Longcuts by:  Atty. Salvador Diputado, Ph.D
issued on March 21, 2010


One of the hottest topics of the week is the result of the Bohol Poll.

Needless to say, it brought happiness (and heartache) to some candidates. Edgar Chatto enjoys a tremendous lead over Julius Herrera and Cesar Montano in the gubernatorial race.

Pedio Jala leads, Tommy Abapo follows while Conching Lim wallows at the bottom in the vice-governatorial battle.
Poor third, says her kumpare Governor Erico B. Aumentado.


In the city mayoralty race, incumbent Dan Lim whacks Toto Veloso with a very comfortable lead.
The same goes with their running-mates, Jaz Montes leads over Glorivic de la serna by a wide margin.
Their respective leads prompted some to comment that Dan Lim and Jaz Montes could sleep comfortably while their opponents are making frantic efforts at catching up.


Julius Herrera says he needs to catch up, fast.
He has already identified some gray areas in his campaign trail that need some soup up jobs.
But he lightened up when he came up with a bright idea that he thought would be a clincher.
There is only one way for the electorates to make a better decision between me and Edgar, he said.
In the very long years that the Chattos have lorded it over in Balilihan, the town remains a very sleepy town, no banks, no gasoline station either.
And someone piped in.

How about comparing the performance of the Chattos and the Herreras in their respective towns, like compare Balilihan to Calape?

No comparison there, someone said. It 's lopsided, he added with a baleful smile.

How about Balilihan and Catigbian or Balilihan and Dimiao?
We could even add Balilihan and Lila, he added.
And without waiting for an answer, he said it's very clear that Catigbian, Dimiao and Lila are more alive and more progressive that Balilihan.


As to the result of the vice governatoriables , it was not very surprising.
Abapo is more amiable, more approachable than Jala. Jala is more like a street-guy who also has his style with making a lot of friends, the sabungeros included. They have the kind of attitude that attracts friends.

And Conching Lim, well, she doesn't make a lot of friends.
Friendship, to her, is measured by her ability to make use of that person.
If she can use you, she will make friends with you. But lose that usefulness and the friendship is gone.
I should Know.
Ask me. Or lawyer Tim Cabatos. or perhaps, Gov. Aumentado or his wife Grenie.


Perhaps, this could be the reason why she was able to summon the nerve to bad-mouth her kumpare Erico Aumentado in last weeks Lakas presscon at JJs Seafood Village.
She must have felt there was no need for that friendship anymore so she formally severed her "friendship" with Aumentado and forged "friendship" with Edgar chatto, Ondoy Cajes and Rene Relampagos.

Very convenient for her to dump Aumentado this time.
She must have forgotten that without her kumpare Erico, she would continue to be a chinese.
Yes, her kumpare helped her to become a Filipino.
And from my collection, thereis a string of helps that her kumpare had extended to her.

Another help extended was on her very long string of Medicare cases.
The investigators then must have found out her bogus Medicare claims because an order was issued suspending her LOL Memorial Hospital in Valencia for 6 months from the Medicare program.

But with Aumentado's help, the order was reconsidered and her LOL Memorial Hospital was spared the administrative sanction of suspension from the Medicare program. It was only reprimanded. Probably, the only hospital in the province to receive the highest distinction of being Reprimanded.

Since then and up to the present, her LOL Memorial Hospital continues to churn out very liberal amount in PhilHealth claims.


She is now offering herself as the next vice governor of the province.
Maybe it is good idea if we ask her to make a clean breast of everything, especially the intriga, so we will know that she is worthy of the votes.

First thing first, I know that in the past, her LOL Memorial Hospital averaged more than a million pesos in claims every month.
One, how did she come up with such a ridiculously and atrociously huge amount in Medicare/PhilHealth claims?
I doubt if Ramiro community hospital in Tagbilaran can come up with sum a huge amount.

Two, I know that in the past ,the scandalously huge 1 million plus in Medicare/ PhilHealth claims were made regularly. How did her LOL Memorial Hospital come up with month after month and year after year of million plus in Medicare/PhilHealth claims?


Last Friday afternoon, her government- issued vehicle ran- over an old man in poblacion, Loay.
She was on board. Probably, she was on the way home after her campaign sortie in Pilar town.
This is bad luck, a sabungero tod me.
If you are about to go to the cockpit and something like this happens, he said, better not proceed.
When I asked why, he said, it's bad luck.
I don't really know if Conching believes in omen. But the way I see it, that vehicular accident in Loay was bad omen.


Many mayors were surprised when they arrived at JJs Seafood Village monday last week.
It was supposed to be a meeting. Nobody told them there was a press conference. So they were surprised when they entered the room and there were media people around.
It was only then that they knew there was press conference before the meeting.
It dawned in their minds that they were as props. As in, show of force.
Looks impressive enough right, if all the seats are occupied?
So that was accomplished when the mayors and mayoral candidates came and filled the seats.

Even former DA Secretary Arthur Yap was surprised because he thought it was only a meeting, no presscon.


Anyway, what transpired during the presscon was the climax of the occasion. the meeting was only a convenient incident.
And the climax was when they collectively condemned the Gov to thy kingdom come.

He was accused as the designer of the grand design. I wonder who coined this "grand design" scheme. It's not very masculine, more like feminine to me.

And of course, there was cong. Ondoy Cajes and Conching Lim.

No surprise anymore on the acid statements from Cong. Ondoy Cajes. He wanted to sound convincing but he failed. His priestly demeanor was no longer there.
I also expected him to tell the truth. but he lied.

Even Conching Lim said "dunay diperensya ang gisulti ni cong. Ondoy Lim."
Cajes earlier said that Gov. Aumentado told Conching Lim to run for vice governor. Which is a lie.
Conching Lim explained that the governor never told her directly. but only those close to the governor.

For a priest, that rebuked from Conching Lim would have been unacceptable. He was chastised in public.
But for a dyed-in-wool politician, the rebuke was nothing.


Cong. Chatto and Rene Relampagos both insisted on the so called between Lakas-Kampi and LDP.

They were reacting on the statement of the governor that Senator Angara and DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno told him the only coalition was in 1995.

Rene Relampagos said the governor was lying and he was telling the truth. He said he was given blanket authority to coalesce with any party. He was also issued CONA by Lakas-kampi.

Ergo, there is a coalition. The Lakas-Kampi recognized him because they issued a CONA for him.

Yes, there is a coalition but only in the level of Rene Relampagos and Edgar Chatto. they did not inform everyone, especially the Lakas provincial directorate.

If it were true that Relampagos was granted blanket authority by Angara, then it is clear that the coalition is local, not national.

This is a coalition initiated by local concerns. the national hierarchy merely extends recognition.

Which means the national doesn't have a hand in the selection of candidates. The locals take charge of that.

Now, now, if there is a coalition of sorts between Rene and Edgar, is that surprising?

More when we return, stay tuned for more!

5 MAYORS BACK GLOVASA BID

Bohol times
April 11, 2010 issued


Five Mayors in the first District have express their support for the congressional bid of Tagbilaran Councilor Oscar Glovasa.

They are Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim, Roberto Salinas of Catigbian, Leoncio Evasco Jr. of Maribojoc, Alvin Uy of Baclayon and Jasmine Balistoy of Cortes.

It is open knowledge that it was the majority bloc in the city council that initiated moves to draft Glovasa for the first congressional seat.

Lim made it clear that he has thrown his unconditional support for Glovasa, saying that it was virtually like he himself was the one running.

The expression of support is a game-changer for Glovasa who was initially considered an underdog behind ex-governor Rene relampagos and fellow Tagbilaran councilor Edgar Kapirig.

The combined votes of Tagbilaran and the four towns total 94,326 which is nearly half of the total 238,025 votes of the first district.

aside from the five incumbents, Glovasa also counts on the support of mayoralty aspirats Gerardo Cuarasal of Calape, Jose nicanor Tocmo Jr., Corella; Vice Mayor Jaime Jimenez, Dauis; Jose Ellorimo Jr., Sikatuna and Engr. William Jao of Tubigon.

Balilihan Councilor Salvio Madanguit who is also campaigning for Glovasa. Relampagos was initially conceded to take over the post being vacated by Rep. Edgar Chatto but recent development favor Glovasa.

The shift in the balance of power from Chatto to Vice Governor Julius Herrera due to the political realignment has altered the equation in the first district.

On Friday, the so called Grand Alliance for Bohol's Sustainable Development brought together Gov. Erico B. Aumentado, Herrera and Dan Lim, all acknowledged political giants.

With the formation of the alliance, Glovasa can now count on the support of aumentado and Herrera in addition to Lim.

The city mayor, who is virtually Glovasa'a campaign manager, makes political capital out of the popular pro-people programs of the city including the benefits for senior, the full support for public elementary education, free hospitalization and medicines and a comprehensive health program, among others.

"This is what we do in Tagbilaran, this is what we intend to do in all 14 towns in the first district," Lim says in Glovasa's town sorties which he attends.

Glovasa said he is optimistic that the momentum is now on his side even as he expects more expressions of support of mayoralty candidates in our more towns.

Lim expressed confidence that Aumentado will actively support Glovas'a bid even though the governor is also campaigning for his own congressional bid.

"No one will deny Gov. Aumentado's clout and influence," the mayor noted.

The governor's all-out support due to the betrayal that he suffered when his certificate of nomination and acceptance was revoked due to the efforts of Chatto and Rep. Roberto Cajes.

Aumentado has also revived the issue of his defeat to Relampagos in balilihan and in Chatto's own precinct in his 2004 reelection bid which he attributed to betrayal.

PRIEST BEATS ECONOMIST, TEACHER IN MAKING MONEY MONEY-MAKER

BOHOL TIMES
April 4, 2010 issued


If outgoing second district solon Roberto "Ondoy" Cajes did not demonstrate a sterling performance as a legislator on his first term, at least he compensated this with his talent in making money.

Congressional records reveal that on his first term as member of the house of Representatives in 2001, Cajes reported a net worth of P3,197,643.

But when he ended his term in 2004, his net worth was already P10,877,643.60.

This means in 3 years as congressman, Cajes gained an astonishing P7,680,000.00 million.

How did he do that?

The entries in his personal assets would reveal that in 2001, he had assets worth P4,197,643.00 only. But in 2004 , his personal assets was already P9,197,643.00.

His Cash in Bank and Shares of stock grew from P1,100,000 in 2001 to P3,800,000 in 2004.

His cars and Motorcycles also increased from P820,000 in 2001 to P1,640,000 in 2004.

In 2002, he acquired an isuzu 6-wheeler and Isuzu 10-wheeler for a combined cost of P680,000. And in 2003, he also acquired a Land Cruiser and a Grader for a total of P800,000.

He did not declare any business concern in 2001. But in 2004, he reported two business concerns- a house for lease and a retail store.

The increase in his personal assets and his business concerns contributed to the astonishing increase in his net worth in a 3-years period.

In 2006, Cajes declared a net worth of P10,927,643.00

How did Congressman Cajes fare with his Boholano peers in Congress, Edgar Chatto(Bohol, 1st District) and Eladio Jala (Bohol, 3rd District) when it comes to making money?

In the case of chatto, he declared a net worth of P3,506,791 in 2001. When he ended his first term in 2004, his declared asset was P3,826,026. And when he ended his 2nd term in 2006, his net worth was only P4,712,511.

In the case of Jala, he declared a net worth of P9,091,000 in 2001. When he ended his term in 2004 , his net worth decreased to P8,125,000. When he ended his term in 2006, he had a slight increase of P9,215,000 in net worth.

It is interesting to note that Chatto, Cajes and Jala are all lawyers.

But Cajes, the priest, clearly beats Chatto, the economist and Jala, the teacher, when it comes to making money.
 

Bohol Times
April 11, 2010 issued


Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera yesterday said Rep. Edgar Chatto should personally explain the unusual increase of his net worth.

"He sould do it himself and not rely on his media bureau ," the vice governor dared yesterday.

Herrera noted that Chatto's assets suspiciously rose to more than P3 million just a year as vice governor , Chatto's declared assets were less than a million.

"That is not possible under normal circumtances considering that you were expected to spend heavily during the election," he added.

Herrera said Chatto could not present proof that there were other sources of income to justify the increase which he called suspicious.

The following year and in the subsequent years, Herrera noted a slow increase in Chatto's net worth.

"There are people who say he might have realized that it is not good to make it very big. I don't want to speculate. That's why it is good for him to explain it himself," he added.

Herrera said Chatto should not commit the mistakes of delegating it to his paid commentators because the people will not buy that.

"If you have nothing to hide, you can do it yourself," he noted.

At The same time, Herrera said there people who do not believe that Chatto is the "poorest" among the three Boholano congressman considering that he claims to have the most number of projects.

"By simple arithmetic, he should be earning more," the vice governor added.

Instead ,Herrera added that it is more possible that what the two other congreesman have declared are closer to the truth.

The vice governor said that in contrast to the financial good fortune of the congressman, the Boholanos remain poor.

"If not for the efforts under the administration of Gov. Erico Aumentado, Bohol will still be among the poorest provinces in the country," he added.

Herrera said that when Aumentado took over from the administration of then Gov. renen Relampagos and then Vice Gov. Chatto, Bohol was a member of the "Club 20" which was the name given to thecountry's bottom 20 provinces.

The vice-governor also agreed with Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim that Chatto should report to the people how his town of Balilihan fared after all the years that he is in public service.

"Mayor Lim is right. If Balilihan did not prosper while he had power and influence, how can the Boholanos expect development and progress if he is no longer part of the inner circle.," the vice governor added.

Herrera said that people in other towns can always visit Calape and see for themeselves what he accomplished during his two terms as mayor.

"How much more if I served as congressman for three terms? he asked.
Herrera said he is confident that the people of Bohol will be able to know who has solid performance and who is merely a media creation.

THE KB GIMMICK

Longcuts by Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, Ph.D
                issued on March 2010


They were colleagues in the good old days of the Kabataang Barangay (KB) headed by its national president Imee Marcos.
Congressman Edgar Chatto headed the provincial group. Unlike the current group by "nation president" Jane Censoria Cajes, the KB under Imee Marcos was real force to reckon with.
For one thing, she was the daughter of the strongman Ferdinand Marcos whose word was the law; no questions asked or you will disappear.
In terms of affluence, well their might be some similarity somewhere. A texter told me that in the current crop of legislators, Cong. Ondoy Cajes has been listed kuno as one of the richest.
And I happen to believe that it's possibly true.


Anyway ,when Congressman Edgar Chatto started implementing his dream to replace Gov. Erico B. Aumentado, he also started contacting his former colleagues in the KB.
Right in their first meeting, the outpouring of complete support from the other KB presidents was spontaneous. The reception was also heart-warming. It was a reunion of sorts. There was no doubt in their minds whatsoever that it was one very important occasion.


Proof of their unity was revealed during a survey. The mechanics of the survey say that the respondents need only to call and express his preference for governor. One text message to all KBs called up the radio station and right there and then, an outstanding syrvey rating was generated. Congressman Chatto leads the pack... Bravo.


When the opposition heard of the gimmick, it was easily duplicated. And the result was reversed. Chatto was trailing. No way, the pollster said, the result could not be utilized because it was corrupted. So they did not report the result of the survey, although it was also available online.
Anyway, the survey gimmick was the KBs first victory in the battle of perception.


But when the CONA issue broke out and Chatto was accused of betrayal after the unity brouhaha in the church, in the Comelec and in Bohol Tropics during dinner, some KBs began to reconsider.
Some started asking if the Edgar Chatto that they knew before is the same Edgar Chatto who is asking for their support come May 2010 elections. A ranking KB member told me a lot of their colleagues believe that somehow, Cong. Chatto was involved in the shenanigan with Congressman Ondoy Cajes. Especially that Chatto has allied himself with the most notorious mayor of Bohol as his running-mate.


According to my KB source, some KB colleagues started thinking that long before the elections, they were not summoned. Long before the elections, they were not recalled. As if they did not exist at all.
But when his political plans for governor were firmed up, that's the time he started recalling his long lost KBs.
They realized right there and then that the hand of friendship was a fake. It was coated with something else.
It was nothing but political friendship. They were summoned because of the political ambitions of Edgar Chatto. Otherwise, they did not exist at all in his vocabulary.
Of course, the reaction was also spontaneous. There was no meeting of sorts. Perhaps, there were text messages but the point is, they shared the same apprehension over the persona of Edgar Chatto.
"Karong mga panahona, mi lie-low usa ko sa among KB-KB kay morag wa na ko kasabot ani. Mora man ug gipahimuslan lang ani" the KB source told me.


A lot of them, the source told me, still believe that Edgar Chatto is basically a good man. But his political ambitions, the source said, stand in the way of his excellent virtues.


One of the issues raised by Catigbian Mayor and Bohol-LMP president Bert Salinas is they are treated as second-class citizens. He was booted out from his congressional plans and his place was installed an outsider in Rene Relampagos, an LDP. It was an LDP victory over Lakas-Kampi in a Lakas-kampi backyard.
It was a terribly painful defeat for Bertsal.
So how did Edgar Chatto, as Lakas-kampi provincial party chair, justify Rene Relampagos' entry?
There was a coalition. And it was the decision of the national hierarchy to coalesce. See, we have nothing to do with that. So don't blame me.


Last Friday, Governor Erico Aumentado said this is not true. There is no such coalition being forged between Lakas-kampi and LDP. He got this information from LDP president Edgardo Angara. Even DILG chief Ronald Puno made similar confirmation. The only coalition they can think of is that in 1995 (rainbow coalition). So what coalition is Cong. Edgar Chatto talking about? Is he making this up?


Remember that Cong. Chatto and Rene Relampagos are an old issue. They did it together when the SALCON issue broke out.
Rene was the governor and Ed Chatto was the vice-governor. Rene merely implemented what Edgar came up in the SP with SALCON. But in the election that followed, Rene was the casualty and Edgar was victorious. And that was because the blame was focused on Rene.
Credit that to Rene's cockiness and Edgar's smart diversionary tactic.


Anyway, the only way to justify Rene's entry to Lakas was through a coalition. Forge a coalition and presto, everything will fall into place. The problem with forging a coalition is they could not make it local otherwise, there will be mass exodus. And they would be charged of being a despot. So to lend authority and credence, and escape scathing questions from the media, they have to have a coalition forged at the national level.
So that's what they did.
Timely discovery is remote because who would challenge the word of Cong. Edgar Chatto?


But the disclosure of Governor Aumentado last Friday destroyed all that. There is no such coalition between Lakas-kampi and LDP in the national level, save that in 2005.
This conflicts with the statement of Congressman Chatto, right?


Another issue raised by Bertsal is that as provincial party chair, Congressman Chatto did nothing to their request for a meeting to thresh out problems and concerns of the party.
Bertsal said they wrote to Governor Aumentado but because Cong. Chatto is the provincial party chair, the matter was referred to Chatto. When asked about this, Chatto spokesman BM Ae Damalerio insisted that Chatto acted on the matter.
Again, Governor Aumentado said last friday that Chatto did not do anything.
There was no meeting; no consultation either.
The governor said he even prevailed upon the group of Bertsal to wait for some time until Chatto has addressed the problem. But nothing was done so Bertsal and company made public their loss of confidence to Congressman Edgar Chatto's leadership.
The statement of Governor Aumentado was corroborated by Jagna councilor Senen Lloren, who is running under Chatto as provincial board member in the 3rd district.
When interviewed by Dave Responte of DYTR, Lloren said Congressman Chatto did nothing about the matter.
That's two in a row, right?


In the controversial incident in Bohol Plaza last week where Chatto and his running-mate Conching Lim came uninvited during the socials of the Buenavista officials, the popular belief that he is "sleeping with the enemy" was also confirmed. In his campaign sorties, Chatto is doing the rounds with Trinidad Mayor Bebe Cajes who is not a Lakas-Kampi but an independent congressional candidate in the 2nd district.
Under ordinary circumstances, he should have been doing the rounds with the Governor because they are both Lakas. So how come Congressman Chatto was with Bebe Cajes instead of the Governor Aumentado?    


No need to answer, of course.
Cong. Chatto has decided to ally himself with Bebe Cajes and Congressman Ondoy Cajes. And contrary to his public declarations, he is formally and informally endorsing her candidacy. Which prompted the Governor to say that, "Kon disiplinado pa na siya nga party man, di unta to niya angay buhaton".
Wa diay disiplina!
As in physics, if there is an action, there is always a reaction.
So if Chatto is for Cajes, should the Governor also work for the candidacy of Edgar Chatto?


Now, in last week's PDC meeting, Congressman Chatto, Congressman Cajes and Conching Lim were invited. But they did not come. Instead, they sent representatives. This prompted an observer to say, "Wa na sila maanad sa kalihukan na invited ug guest jud sila, mas type nila ang mag-gate crash."
Pagka-sakita!
And all the while, Conching Lim is boasting that, "It's all over but the counting."

More when we return, stay tuned for more...
Part 11 next...

BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA

LongCuts by: Atty Salvador D. Diputado, Ph.D.
                  issued on March 2010


The minifesto signed by Catigbian Mayor Bert Salinas and company that declared loss of confidence to the provincial leadership of Cong. Edgar Chatto and the National leadership of Lakas-Kampi spells big trouble in little China.

Apart from the fact that he losses the support of the mayors who signed the petition, Chatto also stands to lose those who sympathize with the signatories to the petition.
In the 2nd district for instance, he losses vote -rich Inabanga, plus votes from Danao, Dagohoy and Getafe.

This means he will be force to rely on the "parallel organization" of Cong. Ondoy Cajes to recoup his losses. I wonder if the prospect is bright enough to make him sleep soundly at night.

In the 1st district, he losses votes from Catigbian because Mayor Bertsal is unopposed in his home town. I also heard that there are certain people in Balilihan who vowed to work against Chatto. Notably those from Hanopol are willing to rise up and be heard.

In the 3rd district, He also losses votes -rich Jagna because Mayor Eksam Lloren and his brother Senen Lloren have joined the rebels. The same applies to Lila because Mayor Tele Balagosa also joined the group of rebels.


And there are other "disturbing" developments in other towns as well. He may not be able to maximize his votes for Loay because Mayor May Imboy is being harassed by former Vice mayor Tibbs Bullecer, who is the campaign manager of Imboys equally rich opponent in Willie Flores.

Tibbs is the son-in law and Chief of staff of Edgar chatto's candidate for the board in the 3rd district, lawyer Aster Piollo.
The on-going heated verbal calisthenics between Tibbs and Mayor Imboy will likely generate a spill- over effect on the candidacy of Edgar Chatto. If Imboy complains to chatto about this problem, and I'm sure she does, Chatto will be placed in a no-win situation.


Apart from his problem with Aster Piollo, Chatto's other candidate for the board in the 3rd district in Senen Lloren is also going ober-da-bakod. Going by the statement Mayor Bert Salinas , Senen Lloren will also drop his support for Chatto.
That leaves him only with Boy Imboy and Jing Trabajo for the board. And if Mayor May Imboy could not rely on Chatto, I doubt if she would really work for Chatto's candidacy. And Boy Imboy may not also work for Chatto as well.
Big problem, right?


Vote -rich Loon is divided. While the mayor may be solid behind Chatto and Rene Relampagos, still, there are other forces at work.
Remember that there is congressional bet Edgar Kapirig whose wife is from Loon. Together, they could pull some votes in that town.
And there is Bertsal who also traces his roots in Loon. Naturally, his relatives in Loon, who might have shared his resentment against Edgar Chatto, will join forces and reject Chatto and Relampagos altogether.


There are also many who are saying that Chatto could not also count on the full support of former DA Secretary Arthur Yap who is uncosntested in his congressional run in the 3rd district.
Remember that during those days of the "one for all, all for one" team of chatto, Cajes and Boy Jala, Art Yap was forced to align himself with the group of Vice governor Julius Caesar Herrera. It was floated then that Yap could not count on Chatto's support because it was a given that he would be for Boy Jala.
No wonder that during his provincial sorties, many projects of Art Yap were dispensed by Herrera.
Many are also saying that the decision of Herrera to turn NP had the prior blessing of Art Yap.
It would be fool hardly to imagine therefore, that just because Boy Jala has been removed from the picture, Art Yap would now support Edgar Chatto.
The argument is that since he started with Julius Herrera, he would naturally finish the run with Julius Herrera.


So what does that leave him?
Of course, Edgar Chatto has his running-mate in Conching Lim. So the question that must be answered is-is she an asset or a liability? Hehehe , I'm willing to bet she is a big liability.

And you know why? Because she has an attitude. Yes, an attitude problem.

She likes to think that politics is just a big market. She pays and she pays big. And after paying, she doesn't give a damn.
She likes to think that everybody is a commodity, no feelings at all. Which explains why she's quick with her acid tongue every time she received visitors from other municipalities.
"Sayon -sayonon lang mi'g kasaba, wa siay maghuna-huna nga nagasto mi'g plete para lang makaanha sa iyang opisina unya kasab-an lang mi", this was the statement of a barangay captain from Jagna.
Which also explain why some of Conching lim's infamous Christmas "postcards-cum-calendar" to the barangay officials bearing her very pretty face ended up as colorful embers when they were fed in disgust to the fire.

The thing is- many barangay officials hate Conching Lim. They hate her for so many reasons. And one of these is her attitude. And to my humble assessment, it is very doubtful if she could buy her way to victory when many barangay officials wanted to get even. Yes, from what I heard, they want to even the score comes May 10. And if Cong. Edgar Chatto is not careful, he is likely to get some shrapnels.


Admin presidential candidate Gibo Teodoro continues to wallow at the bottom of the survey ratings.
His 2% increase from the previous survey hardly inspire confidence if we take into account the remaining days to the final run. Many saying that many vital issues have already been invested in the public consciousness. If these issues failed to pull up Gibo's rating, it is doubtful if the same issues could pull down the ratings of LP's Noynoy Aquino  and NP's Manny Villar.
There is nothing left to say that can make a difference. If this poor showing of Gibo will continue next month, what do you think will happen to his potential benefactors?
Do you think the big-time financiers will still gamble their millions on Gibo?
Logic says they will most likely place their bets on the winnable candidate.
Now, if that is translated to the local scene, what will happen to the campaign of admin gubernatorial bet Edgar Chatto?


Meanwhile, Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera is riding very comfortably on the discomfort of Edgar chatto.
The bad misfortune of Chatto is his good luck.
For instance, his president in Manny Villar is riding high on surveys, second only to Noynoy Aquino.
Villar's financial reserves are very impressive. He can afford to splurge on TV and radio ads. And his terrific expense in political ads is paying off. He is fast catching up on Noynoy's.
And his organizational structure is sound and very reliable as it is extensive.
Unlike Gibo Teodoro, Manny Villar is a very bankable presidential candidate.
In this respect, Julius Caesar Herrera is ingood hands.


The betrayal issue that hits Edgar Chatto like a Holy Week lightning is doing good to the candidacy of Herrera.
Those who were supposed to be impressed by Edgar chatto's cool persona are now entertaining doubts.
A 3rd district Mayor was heard saying "kon trayduran niya si Governor Aumentado, Kami pa kahang mga mayor ra mi."
Which means many didn't buy his explaations. Many are in the belief that there was a grand design against the Gov and he was at the vortex of the conspiracy.
For these mayors, If Edgar Chatto is out , then Julius Herrera is in.


The cellphone giving gimmick of Edgar Chatto did him good at the start. It was supposed to be one big and extensive cellphone network all over the province where they have a centralized database of cell numbers where they could contact and communicate with the barangay captains.
A dream come true for the one who wants to become the chief executive of the province, right?
But the gimmick didn't last.
For one thing, htey must have forgotten that cheap cellphones in Greenhills don't last long. A Barangay captain in Jagna complained that the cellphone lasted only 3 months.
"Unsa man ning cellfona ni, di na man maka-contact, bag-o pa gani ning gihatag ni Cong. Chatto?" was the complaint.
Another problem is that many barangay officials already have cellphones when the Greenhills  cellphones were distributed. Because they were new, they naturally ended up in the possession of the children of the barangay officials.

The objective to link the barangay captains under one big network failed.
And of course, some mayors who do not belong his group resented this cellphone-giving spree because there is total absence of protocol.
One unfortunate victim of this is Pureza Chatto who got her dose of misfortune in Bien Unido.

And finally, some barangay captains did not receive their cellphones. Naturally, they resented the unfair treatment. "Pihig pihig diay na. Klaro nga pamolitika na". was the comment of one barangay official.

Many are also wondering about the source of funds. Is this personal money or peoples money ?
If personal money, then Edgar Chatto can choose the beneficiaries. If people's money, then everybody deserves his cellphone. And those who did not receive have valid reasons to complain.

Next episode, we will talk about the KB group of Edgar chatto.

More when we return, stay tuned for more!
Part 10 next...























 

 
17 LAKAS MAYORS EYE 'EXODUS' TO VILLAR

    The Bohol Standard
    issued on March 14, 2010


The day of reckoning would be on wednesday, March 17, if the 17 mayors members of lakas-kampi-CMD would make good a reported exodus to the camp of Nacionalista Party national standard-bearer Manny Villar.

The decision was reached after ten (10) mayors, led by the incumbent League of Municipalities, LMP- Bohol Chapter President Catigbian mayor Roberto Salinas came out with a Manifesto not to support Lakas party provincial chairman-gubernatorial candidate Edgar Chatto for treating them as second class citizens in their own party.

The report of mass exodus that would benefit Villar's camp came out louder as the NP presidentiable is slated to come to Bohol  on Wednesday. Villar 's visit will not only be in the city but will cover provincewide, and probably in those towns of mayors that will bolt Lakas.

As of Yesterday , seven(7) more mayors who just keep silent and were watching the sides as the Salinas group defended their position from the confrontational stance of the chatto camp, reportedly are to join the exodus.

Lakas regional party chairman, Gov. Erico b. aumentado, who is laso the party official candidate for congressman in the second district said Friday that he respects the feelings of Mayor Salinas and the other mayors that symphatized with him.

" But I would say that every party member should be prudent and cautious in any decision they make. Each party member should think of the over-all welfare of bohol, above one's personal interest," aumentado said.

Asked if he would prevent such kind of exodus as he did when about 27 mayors took their oath with the National Party last year while he was in the United states , Aumentado said, "paso balao lang ta" ( a visayan by word for caution). 

Efforts to amend party differences were made last week, but there seems to be no result, a lakas insider said.

New manifisto went publicized last week branding Chatto as inutile and ineffective.

" He is helpless to protect and advance the interest of the party. At worse, he is insincere and treacherous," the publication said.

Chatto had his own answer to the salinas group tirade printed in other newspapers. as of press time, chatto's political aide Board member Ae Damalerio had not made a return call to the standard's offer that it be published also in this paper's Sunday edition.

8 MILLION PESOS DOWN THE DRAIN

Longcuts by Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, Ph.D
                February 2010


She was invited to run for vice governor in tandem with gubernatorial bet Julius Caesar Herrera. She turned down the offer. She was not interested. She had other things in mind. She had all sorts of alibi. And when it comes to making alibis, she's a pro. When she was later on offered the vice gubernatorial position in tandem with gubernatorial bet Edgar Chatto, she really agreed. in making that decision, one wonders what must have occured in her mental coconut.

It is common knowledge that following the betrayal issue, the releationship between Gov. Erico B. Aumentado and Cong. Edgar M. Chatto has become strained. Old wounds are reopened. And when reopened, they heal very, very slowly ,if ever.
There was that old issue where during that infamous unification brouhaha last 2004 election, Aumentado lost in Balilihan. Even right in Edgar Chatto's precinct, Aumentado lost. He lost to Rene Relampagos. And it was unthinkable because with the unification, Aumentado was expected to win in Chatto 's territory.
Overall, Aumentado also did not fare very well in the 1st district. It would appear that in many cases, Rene Relampagos enjoyed an edge over Aumentado. Unthinkable, right? But it happened. So, what could be the reason fro that?

Close friends and relatives of the governor are convinced that Edgar Chatto did not really support the candidacy of Aumentado. They believe, even until now, that Chatto had a "no-so-secret" alliance with Relampagos and this arrangement explains the very surprising dismal performance of Aumentado in that election, insofar as votes in the 1st district are concerned. But despite this "betrayal" ,Aumentado won. And he mentained diplomatic relations with Edgar Chatto. It seemed everything was forgiven and forgotten. Naturally, there were gnashing of teeths. I know of one who could have "murdered" Cong. Chatto and some members of the current provincial board every time there was personal encounter. That was the first "wound". With the passage of time, that "wound' slowly healed.

The fateful event that occurred on December 1 of last year during that sham "unity" fiasco virtually reopened the old wound, fresh blood oozed from the first "wound" and there are now renewed calls to strike back and get even.
And very surprisingly, there is now the resurrected tandem of Edgar Chatto and Rene Relampagos. Rene, the perennial candidate who transfers residences at whim, is now paired with edgar Chatto as the congressional bet in the 1st district. Rene Relampagos is not a Lakas -kampi-CMD party member. He is with LDP. But forming an "alliance" with Rene did not prove very difficult. Quick and easy, as in "they were back in each other's arms." It was too good to be true. And there is a surprising "twist"- the tandem that worked against Aumentado before is the same tandem that he shares billings  in the political tarps of the administration party. So don't be surprised if close supoters, friends and relatives of Aumentado are now very wary of this resurrected duo.

Now comes Conching Lim. Everybody knows she's a close ally of Aumentado. So how come that when Aumentado invited her to be Herrera's runningmate ,she turned down the offer?
But when Edgar Chatto and Rene Relampagos invited her to be Edgar Chatto's running mate , she readily agreed? I am instantly reminded of the fiction thriller "Sleeping with the enemy." In my lingo, a closed friend who sleeps with my enemy is a traitor. And in that respect, Conching Lim nicely fits the bills.

In my political crystal ball, I consider Conching Lim's act as simply a betrayal. She betrayed her close ally. She betrayed her close friendship with Aumentado. She had no compunction at all when she turned her back on Aumentado. It seemed a natural thing to do. And she allied herself now with "old forces" who connived and conspired against Aumentado. What does that make her?

She must have thought she no longer needed Aumentado because she has Edgar Chatto. Chatto is younger . and he is not vindictive too. There was a time Kiking Chatto went to Conching Lim to borrow money. That was the time Kiking Chatto was running for governor. And what did she do? Kiking Chatto went home empty-handed. Because he was rejected, he had to borrow elsewhere. Edgar Chatto must have known that Conching Lim rejected the pleadings of his power. He must have known a broken hearted his father was of the rejection. He must have known that there was money, but there was no intention to let his father borrow the money. And yet, he was kind enough to offer the vice gubernatorial slot to her. Edgar Chatto is a good man. And conching Lim ,well never mind.

She's up to no good. She gathered the barangay captains all over the province ,about 400 of them in Manila for their congress. She got them to spend at least P20,000 each. Of course , each one has to have plus or minus P5,000 as personal money , in addition to the P20,000. Even if the 400 or so participant had only P200,000 pocket money each, how much was the total money drain from the activity last week?

At least 8 million pesos down the drain for that activity alone. Yes, 8 million pesos being spent in Manila. And what did they do in Manila for that 8 million pesos bill? They lecture on Expanded Juvenile Delinquency Law (RA 9344) and Violence Against Women and Children (RA 9262). Yes, the lectures were indeed very expensive. And Liga President Conching Lim had a weird sense of humor too. She knows that the lecture could very well be done in Bohol ,no need to og to Manila. And if she thought no Boholano lecturer could disscuss these topics very brialliantly like DSWD Usec Alicia Bala or Atty Eduardo Villena did, then she could have invitedthem to Bohol and made a lot of savings.
But no, she thought the barangay captains would be very happy to make " suroy-suroy" in Subic or Baguio City. So, that's what she did. After lecture, where only very few cared to listen, there was a workshop kuno and after that , it was suroy suroy time. Some went to Subic , then to Baguio City, Others went back to Manila after Subic.

And now, they're back in Bohol after spending as much as P20,000 in Barangay funds for that particular junket. Ooops! they are required kuno to submit a report on what they learned during the Bohol Congress. The reportorial requirement, which is nothing but pro forma because nobody will bother to check the report anyway, is made in order to justify the public expenditure.

The DILG will just collect voluminous reports from barangay captains, place them inside a folder, keep it somewhere and forget about it. Another wastage of bond papers and carbon papers that were purchased using people's money. For what learning  can they expect in a few hours of lecture that's usually done in English or Tagalog? And the facts that the submission of the report is only for purposes of justifying the expense, and the barangay captains were informed about this, then nobody will really care what they submit. Not the DILG or the barangay captains.

Anyway, that's the kind of leadership traits that Conching Lim wants her barangay captains all over the province to emulate. Useless expense. Useless activity. And using people's money at that.

We shall have more of this when we return, stay tuned for more...
Part 9 next....

CONGRESSMAN ONDOY IS EATING HIS LOLLIPOP

Longcuts by Atty. Salvador D. Diputado Ph.D.
                 issued on Feb. 2010

It doesn't pay to sleep while driving. Day or night, it doesn't matter. The golden rule is- don't drive when you sleep. Don't sleep when you drive. This was the lesson learned by a Congressman when he figured in a vehicular accident recently.

Once you survived a car crash, you should be thankful for the new lease in life. And the best way to do this is to be humble about it; to accept your frailties and shortcomings and to learn the lesson well. But the congressman is far from being humble. He lied about it and he's in a fighting mood.

It was a show of force for the governor as he happily announced last Friday the decision of the Commission on Elections on the CONA controversy. On hand to grace his announcement at the People's Mansion were his top lieutenants in the 2nd district. Among those present were board member Roygie of Inabanga, Dr. Mutya Tirol-Macuno, Talibon Mayor Juaning Item, a representative of former Getafe Mayor Cary Camacho, Buenavista Mayor Elsa Tirol, Clarin Mayor Hermogenes Diezon, Danao Mayor Tom Gonzaga and CPG Mayor Tessie Boyboy, among others. I noticed a dig, direct, at Congressman Cajes and his wife (kuno) Judith Cajes and indirect dig, at Congressman Edgar Chatto, when Aumentado said he was not "pugoso" (forceful) because he waited for 19 years to become governor.
Trinidad Mayor Judith Lao- Cajes still has 2 terms left for mayor but she could not control the itch to run for congress. Of course, she must have been persuaded to run as "stand-in" for her husband "kuno" so the congressional seat will remain in the "family" and will not be shared with others. Many people are convinced that this could not be the initiative of the Trinidad Mayor but that of Congressman Ondoy Cajes.
In fact, in many of our conversations, it was clear that Judith Lao was not really decided. She kept on telling me "wa pay klaro Attorney" when I asked if it were true that she's running for congress. Not once but many times that I sought her view on her political plans. And in all those times, she kept on saying "wa pay klaro". Of course, I learned later that all the while , they were already planning for a congressional for run Judith Lao. "Dugay na nga plano, di na nahimo mo-back out pa si Maam Bebe," were some of the statement that I got from a very reliable source.
And of course, it was also reported that they could not back out because they had promised their mayoralty bets in the district that she would really run for congress. Asin, no retreat, no surrender. Of course ,this validates the story in one of our episodes here last year that Congressman Ondoy Cajes. was really making his own independent political plans by creating his "parallel organizations." This was one of the heated issues during that fateful September 26 meeting in Manila where there was that ,ah, "healthy discussion" of ideas between the governor and cong. Ondoy Cajes.
I termed it here then as "heated discussion" which meant one and the same. All the while, we were hitting the nail right smack on its head.

And there was an indirect dig at congressman Ed Chatto because as I wrote in this column way back in September of last year, the governor was complaining that "wa pa gani mo makalingkod, ilogan na man ko ninyo sa pwesto" or words to that effect.
The issue of contention was the chairmanship of Lakas -Kampi-CMD in Bohol. The "one for all, all for one" group of Chatto, Cajes and Boy Jala were said to be pushing for the transfer of provincial chairmanship from the governor to Chatto. The governor maintained then that for as long he was still the regional and provincial  chair of Lakas ,there was no reason for the transfer of leadership.
Meaning, if the party hierarchy removed him as provincial chair, then he would vacate the chairmanship. Until then, it was premature to even talk of transfer of leadership. But the more appropriate reason could be that Chatto was not yet a candidate for governor then because the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) was still months ahead.

There was also another dig at Congressman Ondoy. This time ,the dig, I suppose, centered on his very person as priest and as a politician. The governor said that at one political gathering in San Miguel town recently, Congressman Ondoy Cajes told his leaders and supporters to wait for the decision from Comelec Manila. He sounded very confident when he said they would just abide by the Comelec decision. He must have gotten assurance of a sure win, whatever that means.

Last Friday, the governor reminded Cajes that since the Comelec has already ruled on the merits of the case, Ondoy Cajes should be man enough to respect the decision. And the governor continued his dig. The governor cited the previous agreement between Cajes and former Governor David Tirol that Cajes would only serve for 1 term and give way to Tirol.  He broke his promise, the governor said, when he refused to yield the seat to Tirol. Against this pattern of lies and deceit ,the governor said he was not hopeful that Ondoy Cajes would also honor his commitment to respect the Comelec decision.

Actually, the governor was very diplomatic when he limited his narration of the colored history of lies of Ondoy Cajes. He didn't mention another breach of promise by Cong. Ondoy Cajes. And I don't mean his breach of priestly vow. We'll have that in our succeeding episodes. In the meantime, I'm sure Cong. Ondoy Cajes is now eating his lollipop.

Why lollipop?
Because he said the CONA issued by Lakas-kampi-CMD reinstating the governor and revoking his wife's CONA was like a lollipop. He said the CONA doesn't matter anymore because it was done after the period of filing of the COC. As in the lollipop  was given to stop the whining from the governor. But reading though the Resolution of the Comelec en banc, it is very clear that the reinstated CONA was no more lollipop. Very clearly, it was just Ondoy Cajes' lolly. Having said that, I repeat, I'm sure Cong. Ondoy Cajes is now enjoying his lollies.

Now that Judith Lao is declared as an independent candidate for the 2nd district, she has several options. Rather, Congressman Ondoy has several options. He can eat his lollipop, swallow his pride and continue the fight or be humble about it and withdraw. But I don't think he will ask his "wife" to withdraw. He has already invested a lot. He has already organized and funded a parallel organization in the district that would support the team Cajes only. He has made a  commitment (kuno) to the members of the parallel organization that he would carry on hte fight. Apparently, the members considered Cajes as an honorable man, that he's capable of fulfilling his promise or commitment. Either they're ignorant or they forgot the fact that Cong. Ondoy Cajes has made commitments and vows before but he turned his back on them.

Anyway, Ondoy Cajes Bragged repeatedly over the radio that the group of Cong. Edgar Chatto, Conching Lim and Arthur Yap would support Judith Cajes. Ondoy made this pronouncement during those times that the Comelec has not yet issued its verdict on the CONA case. So we can understand the seeming stupidity of the remarks. If he does, now is the time to eat his words. For how can Chatto, Lim and Yap support Juddith Cajes when she's not Lakas-kampi-CMD party bet? She is now an independent. Of course, Chatto and Lim can secretly support Judith Cajes if they want. As in special operations. But that would be another stab in the back for the governor from Cong. Edgar Chatto. How many times can the governor endure stabbing incidents from Cong. Edgar Chatto? And if Cong. Chatto does that (never mind Conching Lim, she's a nobody in the 2nd district), Aumentado can return the favor. He can also junk Chatto and Lim in the 2nd district. I suppose this is something that should jolt Edgar Chatto from being suicidal. In which case, it would be to his best interest to simply toe the party line and support Aumentado.
We shall have Conching Lim's betrayal in our next episode. Abangan...

More when we return, stay tuned for more...!
Part 8 next....      

THE DARK DAYS

Long Cuts by Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, Ph.d.
              issued on January 2010


Who would have thought that Longcuts would get his one minute of infamy and humiliation when Cong. Ondoy Cajes brought his war to the Halls of Congress Wednesday last week and delivered a scathing privilege speech? Up to now, Longcuts is still shopping for viable explanation why he's been included in Cong. Cajes hate list.

Friends have volunteered some.
One, he's disappointed that while he has his top caliber lawyers from Manila to defend his case before the Law Department of Comelec Manila, Governor Erico B. Aumentado has opted to retain a Bohol based ukay-ukay lawyer.
Two, he's pissed with the way Longcuts laughed during Cuentas Claras radio program.
Three, he's not happy with the story coming out from this paper about his unfortunate accident in Loboc last December 30.
Four, he's looking for more enemies. And many more.

Why bore his clleagues with his sad personal story in far away Bohol? Why waste the precious time of the House with the story of his political battle with Gov. Erico B. Aumentado? What did he hope to accomplish from his very irresponsible privilege speech? If the issues taken at his privilege speech were referred to the appropriate committee, did Cong. Ondoy Cajes expect positive solution? Does he have nothing else to do that he opted to make a fool of himself in the House?

It was utterly pathetic for Cong. Ondoy Cajes to hit his "enemies" below the belt. He could not utter those words here, over the radio stations because his targets would get even. He could also get sued for defamation. Though I think this is the least of his concern. He has a battery of lawyers at his beck and call.

When Cong. Cajes asked Longcuts "unsa man ka sa una" it was really shocking. I could not imagine him stooping this low. But he did. And by doing so, he's digging his own grave. He has unwittingly exposed his other persona. By asking that stupid question, he must have forgotten that the same question could also be asked of him. Unsa man pod diay ka sa una Cong. Ondoy Cajes?

And here's my recollection of Cong. Ondoy Cajes. I remember him when he was still the parish priest of K of C Lourdes Church. I would see him early morning walking along Gallares Street wearing white shorts. Everyday in the neighborhood knew then that he wad sut perfornace Lao Cajes and her children were staying. The boarding house is just around the corner, very near the church. Can you imagine a parish priest openly spending the night in the bosom of his girlfriend?

I also remember him playing basketball. He was fond of wearing a number 7 jersey. Proof that he loves the living legend, Robert Jaworski. Also proof that like Jaworski, he likes to play rough. Ask anybody who played basketball with Fr. Ondoy Cajes then and for sure, the description fits a Jawo-like play. And while he's playing basketball, there were kids at the sideline. And one such kid would cheerfully shout, " Shoot Daddy, shoot Daddy!"
Yes, a priest being called Daddy in public. And you know who was that kid? You got it, It's Bobbit Cajes.

And where did he get the wherewithal to study Law? He was a priest that time. Some said he borrowed money from friends. Another priest is reportedly one of them. Some said it was a grant from the church. And many other theories. Me, I don't want to hazard a guess.

I also remember talking to a sister of Cong. Ondoy Cajes. She's got summoned by a banking institution because she missed her monthly obligations. When I met the sister in court, I asked why she did not get a lawyer? She was mum even with the knowledge that her brother was practicing law at that time, even while serving the province as a board member. When I asked her why not ask help from her brother, board member  Ondoy Cajes , her reply was simple enough. " Maayo pa ug adto ko sa lain magpatabang kay sa adto ko niya". If his sister shares this "fondness" for Cong. Ondoy Cajes, one does not have to think very hard what kind of brother he really is. These are some of the things that I would remember if asked the question "kinsa man diay si Cong. Ondoy Cajes sa una?"

Of course, there are other things that I know about Cong. Ondoy Cajes personally. Things like what he did when he was still constructing his house in the city. Things like what he did when he was in need of instant cash. And of course, I know of some things about his wife Judith Lao Cajes because she used to work at the Telecom office.
And I also know a little about his legal problem with former mayor Landring Tirol. That case was very tumultuous for Cong. Ondoy Cajes and his wife Judith Lao Cajes. We shall discuss little by little this episode in the life of my good friend and kumpare, Cong. Ondoy Cajes.

The point is, I have some personal knowledge about Cong. Ondoy Cajes, his wife and his kids that I can share in this corner. Question- does he have similar personal knowledge about me that he could, with certainty and confidence, share openly in public? I doubt it. Though he could try.

One good thing about that speech is, according to a good friend in the media, I made one giant step while Cajes made 3 steps backward.

Some friends who heard our lively exchange last Tuesday over Cuentas Claras congratulated me for keeping my cool. "Believe mi nimo bay, kalma ra man ka kaayo," this came from some friends. Another one said, "bastos pod na si Congressman Cajes, no? Siya hinuon ang namaot adto." And another one said "kon nanghantok ka, at least dalaga man unya asawa pod nimo. Kanang uban diha nga nangilog ug asawa unya ipa deklarar pa gyud ang buhi nga bana nga patay, mao nay grabe." The point is, with the despicable act of Cong. Ondoy Cajes in his privilege speech, let me make it clear that I am not mad. But I get even.

Conching Lim is having a hard time selling herself to the barangay officials. She is not friendly. She is not approachable. And even those who ventured to try their luck by approaching her directly have experienced a shock of the lifetime. "Kusog mangasaba na siya. Mora mi'g pirmi lang sayop ug siya pirming husto. Ang nakapait kay mao na's ginhawa namong pangitag ika-plete para kaadto mi Tagbilaran, pag-abot namo sa iyang opisina, kasab-an man lang mi," a barangay captain from Jagna exclaimed.
"Unya karon, sayon sayonon lang mi ug ngisi -ngisi. Dad-on kunohay mi sa Manila ug sa Subic aron kunohay mi mo believe niya. Unsa man mi, uto-uto?" continued the irate female barangay captain.

It's not an easy game for Conching Lim. She may be representing the barangay captains but she is terrebly unpopular with them. She is in the 3rd district of Bohol, the biggest in terms of area and voting population, but she could not really claim that the district is sure to support her. After all, records of past elections would show that despite her tremendous resources, she was not the top vote getter in the district.
She could not beat Dioning Balite for several elections now to the number 1 slot in the district board seat. She could not even beat Freda Tirol because Freda remained at the 2nd slot. The best that Conching Lim could do was get the 3rd slot.
Now, if that is the best that Conching Lim could muster in her own district, then it follows that she can also expect extreme difficulty in the other districts?

For instance, in the 1st district, she has to rely completely on the machinery of Cong.Edgar Chatto. If Chatto were facing an easy battle, then Conching Lim could easily piggyback on Edgar Chatto. But the coming election is definitely no walk in the park for Cong. Chatto. The betrayal issue is haunting the good congressman. And with the entry of Rene Relampagos, the issue about SALCON is also revived.
Remember, Rene Relampagos met his downfall with the SALCON issue. That time, Rene was the governor, Edgar was the vice governor.

This early, formerly OIC governor Victor dela Serna is marshalling his resources and fortifying his fort for a revival of the SALCON issue. To my recollection, there is no other mouthpiece who is more persuasive than Victor dela Serna. If Victor dela Serna starts spewing acid with the SALCON issue, there will be hell to pay. Many voters would remember and Edgar and Rene would be in a lot of trouble.

In the 2nd district, Conching Lim has to rely on the machinery of Cong. Ondoy Cajes. Again, if congressional bet Judith Cajes, the married wife of Cong. Cajes, is facing an easy battle, babysitting Conching Lim will not be a problem. But she is facing a political giant in Gov. Erico B. Aumentado. From my reckoning, she could only consider Trinidad and Buenavista as her stronger turf. In other towns like Ubay and Inabanga, Cajes would trail by a wide margin.
Which means Conching Lim will be left to fend for herself. She could not also count on her kumpare Erico because she opted to ally herself with Edgar and Ondoy who are considered up to now as the main actors in the movie, THE BETRAYAL. Dark days ahead indeed for Conching Lim.

We shall have more of this when we return, stay tuned for more!
Part 7 next...

SMOLDERING PRIVILEGE SPEECH

LONG CUTS by Atty Salvador D. Diputado, PH.D.
                     issued on Jan. 2010


If elections were held today, vice gubernatorial contender Conching Lim would easily lose to Tommy Abapo. The on-line survey conducted by DYRD shows the big lead enjoyed by Abapo over Conching Lim.
Abapo got 62% while Conching Lim got only 21%. Elpedio Jala got 17%. This is definitely bad news for Conching Lim. She could even overtaken by Jala in the 2nd spot. Her lead over Jala is measly 4%.

Naturaly, Conching Lim should not expect to get a good showing in the survey. The survey is based on popularity. Abapo is popular, Conhing is not.
Not only that, since the time he started in government service, Abapo's name has not been linked to graft and corruption. Yes , he is clean. But Conching is different.
Ever since, Conching's name has always been linked to the controversial Medicare scandal. For how could she explain the more than 1 million pesos in monthly Medicare claims for her LOL Memorial Hospital in Valencia? Remember that there are 2 hospitals in Valencia. And there is no epidemic ever recorded in Valencia. And yet, Conching LOL Hospital submitted voluminous monthly Medicare claims amounting to more than a million pesos.
Where did she get that much number of patients to justify the million pesos in Medicare claims?
Well , lawyer Tim Cabatos knows the answer. He lawyered for Conching in many of her Medicare Cases.

Still remember that fateful interview of Cong. Ondoy Cajes over Cuentas Claras radio program several weeks ago? REcall that there was an immediate blast from Cong. Ondoy Cajes that I was biased when I asked him about his statement that " ang partido maoy nagtuboy sa akong asawa, si Judith Cajes."
He blurted a lot emotional outburst about my being the lawyer of Governor Erico B. Aumentado on the CONA case before Comelec Manila. Before he went berserk on the airlanes, I reminded him that my question had nothing to do with the CONA case , I was only interested to ask him about his previous pronouncement that it was the admin party that urged his wife Judith to run for congress in the 2nd district. He immediately rectified his statement that " ang partido maoy nag issue sa CONA".
Naturally, he forgot to answer my question on whether or not it was the party, not he or his wife, who actively sought the position for his wife. If he answered that it was really the party which initiated everything, then I would have confronted him with what I knew which was contrary to his assertion. I happen to know that all the while, they had been planning for the candidacy of Judith Cajes, not as a re-electionist mayor, but as a congressman in the 2nd district.
This was long before the filing of COC's. And long before that very controversial unity mass, unity picture, unity raising of the hands and unity dinner which were nothing but a sham.

Sensing the hostility, Longcuts retreated because it would not be nice listening the heated exchange on air. On the next interview with Cong. Cajes, he was not as pikon as the first interview. He seemed friendly and there was no more heated exchange.

Last wednesday evening, somebody told me by text that Cong Cajes had just delivered a smoldering privege speech in the House of Representatives. In his speech, he reportedly attacked the governor, the provincial PNP chief and yours truly.
True enough, the speech is volcanic. The protege of the governor is now a man full of hatred and contempt against the governor. But I leave the governor to answer the charges against him.

It was totally unfair. He destroyed and maligned me without giving me a chance to defend myself. He accused me of lack of credibility in my home province. I wonder where he got this stupid idea. Right after taking the bar exam, I transfered residence sometime in 1989. I am now domiciled in Bohol and only visits my home province during special occasions. I started my legal profession since then and joined the local media in the mid-90's up to present. Where did Cong. Cajes get that stupid idea about lack of credibility in my home province?
Another batch of lies, bay ondoy?

My engagement as legal counsel of Governor Aumentado in the CONA case before  something false and malicious. He said he has recordings. Good. Why not use these recording here where it happens?

You see, the unity mass actually happened.
The unity pictured happened.
The unity dinner also happened.
The unity march to the Comelec provincial office also happened.
And the filing of a COC for Mayor of trinidad Judith Cajes, instead of filing a COC for vice governor also happened.
The filing of COC for congressman in the 2nd district, instead of filing a COC for mayoral reelection also happened.
All these were reprted in this paper.
The smashed up in Loboc of the Nissan Patrol registered in the name of Cong Cajes daughter Jane Censoria Cajes also happened.
The reprted presence of Cong. Cajes during the smashed up was also reported.
Other papers also reported.
So why is Cong.Cajes angry with yours truly?

Well, the succeeding episodes will be very interesting.
I have accumulated some exotic stories about Cong. Cajes and Judith Lao-Cajes. Since this lowlife does not have the halls of congress at his disposal, we shall devote a lot of these interesting stories in this corner.
Abangan.

More when we return, stay tuned for more...Part 6 next....

ERICO VS. JUDITH, OH, C'MON !

LONGCUTS by Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, Ph.D.
                issued on December 2009


Cong. Edgar Chatto and Cong. Ondoy Cajes are at the receiving end of the "betrayal of the century" political episode. They are bashed and whacked mercilessly for days, weeks on end on air and on print. It seems nobody is buying the yarn that their hands are clean. Many people believe that they were " traitors" and they stabbed the governor on his back.

The picture that was printed in last Sunday's papers speaks volumes  about the treacherous plot that was unfolding then. In the picture, they held hands with smiles plastered on their faces. There was no cloud of doubts, yes, no doubt at all, that everybody was united for a common cause. But there was a sinister plot somewhere. Yes, lurking in somebody else minds was a dirty plan to destroy and terminate with extreme prejudice the governor. And the evident premeditation was very clear.
First, there was the so called "unity mass". Again , they held hands.
Then, there was a "mass filing " of COCs at the Comelec, sans Cong. Ondoy Cajes.
Then, there was a "unity picture" where they raised their hands in unison, again, with those sweet , sweet smiles on their faces.
And Finally , there was a " unity dinner" at the Bohol Tropics after the mass filing at the Comelec. They shared food and everybody was happy for the common victory of the party. Nobody had an inkling that there was something a miss then. Nobody noticed then that Cong. Ondoy Cajes did not file his Certificate of Candidacy (COC)for Vice Governor. Clearly, Governor Aumentado had been lulled into believing that everything was in order. " Nasud ba sa bulsa", as they say.

While they were praying before God and man at the St. Joseph Cathedral that fateful afternoon of December 1, 2009, the plotters were already thinking of implementing these things:
1. Cong. Ondoy Cajes would not file his COC for vice governor, instead he would file his COC for mayor of Trinidad.
2. Mayor Judith Cajes would file her COC as congressman of the 2nd district.
3. They would continue to exert the pressure on Conching Lim to file her COC as vice gubernatorial candidate.
4. If Conching Lim files her COC, that would give them the excuse to validly launch the candidacy of Judith Cajes on the pretext that the governor has allowed Conching Lim to run against Cong. Ondoy Cajes. Believe it or not , Conching Lim was nothing but a pawn.
5. At the same time, there was already the bomb about to be exploded, revocation of the governor's CONA. And all the time  they were entertaining all these plots and sub plots to crucify the governor, they were holding hands, sharing smiles, sharing food and drinks.

Minus the "unity mass, unity dinner, and unity picture" , many were inclined to believe that Cong. Chatto and Cong. Cajes were not in any way involved. But when that picture came out, and when news came out that Cong. Ondoy Cajes did not file his COC as a vice governor and Mayor Judith Cajes filed her COC as 2nd district congressman, the tide of public opinion shifted. Many are now in the belief that somehow, Cong. Edgar Chatto and Cong. Ondoy Cajes had a hand in the crucifixion of the governor on December 1, 2009.

The entry of Cong. Adam Jala and Conching Lim in the picture was completely a surprise. As for Cong. Jala , nobody thought he was gunning for vice gubernatorial position. Many were thinking he could silently "retire" because after all, he was just there to warm the seat for his father and beat the 3 term limit. When he arrived at the Comelec office few minutes before deadline and field post haste his COC for vice governor, many smelled rotten fish.
More so that he admitted during ambush interviews that he was not really prepared to file. He was just persuaded to file. As for Conching Lim, Long before the deadline for filing of COC, her name came out as a gubernatorial bet but not on the side of Cong. Chatto. She was more identified on the side of Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera. In fact, many times, her name was floated as Vice Governor's running mate. Many were surprised when Cong. Adam Jala withdrew and Conching Lim filed her COC in substitution. Conching Lim is now allied with the "plotters" against the governor . Is she abandoning her pact with the Governor?

Gov. Aumentado  was accused of riding two horses, LAKAS-Kampi-CMD and Nacionalista Party. On the basis of the so called "intelligence network" plus consultation with Cong. Chatto and Cong. Ondoy Cajes, the governor was stripped of his CONA. Cong. Chatto and Cong. Cajes, plus ex-Gov.Rene Relampagos must have shared a victory laugh then.
Governor Aumentado filed an appeal before the National Directorate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD , seeking justice and invoking his right to due process. An Arbitration committee chaired by former Cong. Prospero Pichay handled the controversy. After a thorough deliberation, the arbitration committee decided on December 4 to reinstate the CONA of the governor and revoked the CONA of Judith Cajes. As of now, the Governor is the only candidate for congressman in the 2nd district under Lakas -Kampi-CMD party.
As of now, Judith Cajes is an independent candidate for congressman in the 2nd district.

Just to clarify the point, Cong. Pichay came up with the following statement:
" After a careful deliberation and consideration of the facts, circumstances and party rules, we found merit in the request for consideration of Gov. Erico B. Aumentado and so hold and sustain that the validty and effectivity of his CONA with Serial No. 22565 was uninterrupted from the time of its issuance up to the present, and we recommended the revocation of the CONA of Mayor Judith Cajes with Serial No. 22522  retroactive  to the time it was issued."
This means that there was no break in the Gov's being an official candidate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD. Short and simple story, there was no time at all that he became an independent. On the other hand, there was no time at all that Judith Cajes became an official candidate of Lakas-CMD-Kampi. She was an independent candidate since the time she filed her COC on December 1, 2009.

The betting now is with the revocation , will Judith Cajes continue with her congressional plans? There are some who believe that she will withdraw. But many are in the belief that she would not. The camp of Cong. Ondoy Cajes has been planning this scenario   long before the filing of COC. After all, if the Jalas could do it in the 3rd district, there is no reason why Cajeses could not do it likewise in the 2nd district. But my ears are hearing very strongly that she would not withdraw and she would continue with her political plans. They are already committed. As I see it, the battle lines are drawn. It's now kill or be killed.

Many are in disbelief. How on earth could Judith Cajes fill into the shoes of the governor insofar as looking for project is concerned? Even when her husband Cong. Ondoy Cajes was about to replace the governor, he expressed reservations as to his competence. That was Cong. Ondoy Cajes then. Now that Judith Cajes is about to mount the podium and shout her intention to battle it out with the Gov, I could hardly wait to listen how she intends to portray her role in the district.

More when we return, stay tuned for more...Part 5 next... 

HEAD FOR GOVERNOR AUMENTADO

LONGCUTS By Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, Ph.D.
                    issued last November 2009



Governor Erico B. Aumentado has been repeatedly asked who his anointed one will be for the governatorial position - Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera or Cong. Edgar Chatto? And his answer remain the same. He will pick no one, he will let the higher authorities do it for him. His reasoning is simple- his ongoing projects maybe imperiled. If he will pick one, the other will against his projects. Not to mention the possibility of jumping to other political parties. To avoid that- and keep them intact better to be "neutral".

By elevating the task to higher authorities, the governor is now purged of the tough job of explaining his choice. By playing Pontius Pilate, the governor can also avoid potential backlash in the local level. Whoever the choice will be, or whatever action is taken by top officials of the admin party , the governor can face both Julius and Edgar with a straight face.

The premise rests on the presumption that the higher ups will play ball. And they will save the day for the governor. But supposing, the higher authorities will refuse. And there are reasons aplenty like - they will leave local parties to solve local problems or it will set a dangerous precedent. When that happens, the ball is back in the governors backyard. Best recourse is to declare a free zone.

When I called up Vice Governor Herrera and asked him about the possibility of free zone in Bohol, he was non committal. He was also non committal when asked if he was willing to submit to a convention.

What happens when a free zone is declared? For sure, there will be a realignment of mayors, vice mayors and even barangay captains. And Julius and Edgar will be given the chance to test the loyalty of their supporters. But the bigger question in case of a free zone is- who will remain with the admin party and who will bolt to other parties?

The administration  party convention is slated on November 20, 2009. One governatoriable told Longcuts yesterday that's too far. He may not be able to wait that long because he's already talking of "other plans" even before November 20.

The President and members of her cabinet will troop to Loboc for their cabinet meeting on tuesday, November 10,2009. The host will be Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who will also celebrate his 44th birthday on that day. Secretary Yap is also slated to formally raise his right arm in allegiance to the admin party.

So on Tuesday, there will be 3 big events in Loboc. The cabinet meeting, the birthday bash of secretary Arthur Yap, And the formal induction of Yap to the admin party inside the Loboc Gym. There are a lot of speculations about this event but this is my reading of the situation.
One, it is foregone conclusion that Arthur Yap will be the anointed admin candidate for the 3rd district congressional seat.
Two, there is no more question that former 3rd district solon Boy Jala will have to yield the choice seat to Arthur Yap.
Three, ith Arthur Yap safely ensconced for the congressional race under the admin party, Boy Jala will have to reconsider his plans. And he has to ponder on these questions, will he still pursue his congressional plans; will he stick with the admin party ; and if he bolts, which party will he turn to?
And four, there is no more question as to the full support that will be extended by the administration to Arthur Yap.

The dilemma facing the governor in the choice for vice governatorial bet under the admin party is evident. There are three 3 contenders, outgoing Congressman Cajes , provincial administrator Tommy Abapo and Conching Lim of the infamous Medicare claims cases of Valencia town. They are all close allies of Governor. Cajes is the governor's heir in the 2nd district. Abapo is the "little governor" when the governor is out of the province. with Abapo, the governor could rest easy that the affairs of the province are in good hands. In fact, this could be one of the reasons why the guv is very productive in scouring for goverment projects. And what better way to reward Abapo than to anoint him. As For Conching lim , well, there's a tie that binds between the kumpare and the kumare. This "tie" has withstood the test of time and their relationship has mellowed with the passage of time. They are so close that that it is difficult to imagine the refusal of the governor to Conching Lim s political plan.  Many are in the belief that thre governor will have to agree to Conching's whims and caprices, no ifs , no buts. My analysis of the situation however says that it's a toss-up between Tommy abapo and Conching Lim only. Given the " healthy discussion" between the governor and Cong. Ondoy Cajes over Cajes' parallel organization in the 2nd district, I am willing to bet that Ondoy has already forfeited his chance at getting the nod of the governor. If Conching gets the green light for the vice governatorial position, Tommy Abapo may have to work it out somewhere, with or without the help of the governor.

Naturally, that doesn't mean that Conching lim will have an easy ride down the stretch. I suppose Cong. Ondoy Cajes can easily find a way to continue with his vice governatorial plans in other parties, NP, LP, or PMP for instance. When he does, there will be no shortage of issues. And I suppose , the political battle will be very exciting...

More when we return, stay tune for Part 4 next....

THE GOV'S RESIGNATION

LONG CUTS by Atty. Salvador D. Atty., Ph.D
                    October 2009 issue


There is no more question anymore about the power struggle for the Lakas chairmanship in Bohol. Gov. Erico B. Aumentado said last friday (Oct 2010) for as long as nobody is appointed as chair of Lakas-Bohol , then he continues to wield the Lakas baton for Bohol. He is both the provincial and regional chair of Lakas-CMD- Kampi. His way of saying " don't count me out yet". This is indicates an intention to stay on as provincial chair of Lakas-Bohol. Demalas ang maligsan hehehe. Congressman Edgar Chatto says on the issues of Chairmanship , he abides by the  Lakas rules. He agrees that the issue of chairmanship of Lakas is vital because the one appointed as chairman will also be the party bet for governor. Is there such a rule in Lakas? The good congressman is not saying. Former Congressman Boy Jala said it is common knowledge that the chairman of the party is also the candidate for governor. Since the governor is no longer running for governorship, then it is only proper that there should be a revamp of Lakas chairmanship. Ha,ha,ha I don't think the Gov agrees with Boy Jala. Vice Governor Julius Herrera said if there is a revamp of the chairmanship of Lakas, then it is only proper that the vice chair of the  party will succeed. Since he is the second highest ranking official of the province, then he deserves the chairmanship.

It is understandable that the chairmanship of the party is a hot issue. Party funds go to the chair, that's one. He gets to divide and distribute the funds in his possession. So much power that way. Second, the party chair gets to endorse the officials bets. Another power factor. And third, the party chair takes charge of party activities. He takes control of the schedule of party campaign. And of course, the chair hosts the top bets of the party. He is seen with the bigwigs. Leaves nice impression to the voters too. And finally, he also sets the tone of the local party. Any interview, any press release, the chair gives his okay. As such, it is not surprising why the issue of chairmanship of Bohol will generate the most heat.

The Gov also confirmed our story that the front runners for the governoratorial position - Cong. Chatto and Vice Gov. Herrera - are steadfast in their political plans. Its like ,it's the governor or nothing for each one. So what happens? Its possible that a toss coin will break the impasse. No word from Chatto if he agrees to a toss coin. Cabinet Secretary Prospero Pichay has another proposal to break the impasse. If Chatto is annointed, Herrera will run as congressman of the district. If herrera is annointed, Chatto's wife Pureza will run for the position. No word from both Herrera and Chatto if they are amenable to the proposal.

Late night, I got a call from Governor Aumentado. He reminded me about the Governors report the following day. He said he would be making an important announcement. The Guv told me it has something to do with his resignation as governor. Goodness, what could have happened during his meeting with the President Arroyo and Cong. Chatto that he was now talking of resignation, this was the question in my mind.
Saturday morning (Oct 2009) came and I was there in the People's Mansion for that "very important announcement" of the Guv. True enough, the Guv spoke about the topic of resignation as governor. He said he would no longer resign, as he promised months back, because the President has committed to help jump start the Panglao International Airport project before his term ends. He did not exactly say when-meaning which month, but he said the project will be bidden soon and after that, construction will finally start.

When asked when the airport project will really start, he answered that it would soon be bidden out and construction works would start after. No date, no month , take note. Unlike before, he said bidding would be done by September , a month after that and the construction works would start. Meaning ,by October this year (2009), works would already commence. As we have already known, works have not been started yet on the airport project. Now, there are only 2 months plus left before the year ends. By February 2010, the campaign period starts and there will be a ban on government projects. If the airport project now has the green light, as reportedly promised by the Guv, then works should start this year or early next year. Otherwise, its bye-bye Panglao airport project.

Is there a need for the Guv to resign? Well, whether he likes it or not, his term ends on June 30, 2010. By November 30 this year(2009), the Guv will have to file his COC for a congressional seat, we shall have known by then if the airport project was a go. Otherwise , there will be a heavy price to pay.

Part 3 next when we return, stay tuned for more.....

THE GUV AND THE CONGRESSMAN

LONG CUTS By: Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, Ph.D
                     (Flashback in Sept. 2009 )

There is a widely-accepted belief that the "one for all, all for one" principle is the omerta of the 3 Bohol solons- Ed Chatto, Ondoy Cajes and Boy Jala. Cajes is Chatto's runningmate in the governatorial race while Jala returns to the 3rd district. The 2nd district is left vacant so that the Guv can return to the district after his 3rd term as governor ends. The 1st district is still a toss up.

On the other side of the political fence is the group of Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera. Herrera is also contesting the seat desired by Chatto. Herrera has provencial administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. as his runningmate. Conching Lim is also contesting the seat desired by abapo. She wants to be herrera's runningmate. She believes she can wallop better than Abapo. Of course, She believes she has a better chance at the vice gobernatorial position under Herrera than under Chatto. She must have felt that Chatto would prefer Cajes over her. One way of saying she is more comfortable with Herrera than with Chatto. But seriously doubt if Herrera is comfortable with Conching Lim. He,he,he she must be an adorable person, quote unquote.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who is also interested to take the 3rd congressional seat, must have read the body language of Edgar, Ondoy and Boy Jala. He must heard of the "one for all, all for one" and concluded right away that he has no chance under Edgar because Edgar would always pick Boy Jala for the district. This must be the reason Art Yap is aligned with Julius Herrera.

At this point in time , nobody knows who will be the anointed governatorial bet- Edgar Chatto or Julius Herrera. Both are banking on the favorable nod of Governor Erico Aumentado. One time, the Guv announced in Calape, while asking for their support, that Herrera would be next governor. He wisely ommited the date but this was taken to mean after his term ends. Another time, the Governor has also been heard telling people that Edgar Chatto was his heir apparent. The meaning is very clear -after him, Edgar will inherit his position. This means neither Edgar nor Julius can claim exclusive right over the Guv's endorsement. Both knew that. They are in agreement that the Guv's nod is crucial in getting the official anointment. And both also knew that there is good possibility that the Guv with anoint neither of them.

What happens if Edgar Chatto gets the anointment? Most likely, he will get Ondoy Cajes as his runningmate, Boy Jala as his bet in the 3rd district and the Guv in the 2nd district. Herrera will be left holding empty bag. So most likely, he will go to the Nacionalista Party. He can also go to Liberal Party under noynoy Aquino. I t is not certain if the Guv will insist in Conching Lim as Edgar Chattos runningmate. But the possibility exists because this could be his quid pro quo to Edgar. Of course, Edgar Chatto may insist in having Ondoy Cajes. With Cajes, he does not have to look after his 6, if you get my drift.

If herrera gets the anointment, most likely he will get Abapo, not Conching Lim, as his runningmate. For practical purposes, Abapo can easily fit into Herreras game plan for the province. This cannot be said of Conching Lim. Julius knows that she always has a different game plan. Herrera will most likely get Arthur Yap for 3rd district. It is not certain yet who Herrera will get for the 1st and 2nd districts.

There is a little twist here for Art Yap. Accordingly, he's got assurance that he would get the anointment in the 3rd district. If Chatto gets it, Yap will also get the 3rd district slot. Will Yap abandon Herrera just like that? And will Yap worm into confidence of chatto and Cajes at a flick of a finger? Difficult to say because Art Yap and Julius Herrera may have common political leaders and supporters in the 3rd district. Or, will Yap stay it out with Herrera even if he has to forego with his anointment with Lakas-CMD? Art Yap may have to od a balancing act here.

What happens if nobody will be anointment as official candidate? They can run as an independent. Not good because they cannot be assured of getting the party funding. They can go to other parties , of course, and there will be a race to get the endoresement and support of LP under Noynoy, or NP under Villar.

Meanwhile, the meeting between Governor Erico Aumentado and other Bohol top officials last Sept 2009 friday in Manila was supposed to iron out potential differences among partymates in the province. It turned out to be well, "bloody." A reliable source told me yesterday the Guv had a "not-so-friendly" spat with a congressman because the latter is forming parallel groups in his district that could "break" the unity of Lakas. The congressman must have felt that he was already "powerful enough" to challenge the Governor. Of course, apart from the open secret that the congressman is now filthy rich with several millions in investments in his district, it was also plain during the meeting that the Guv was facing the might of the "one for all, all for one" group of the 3 Bohol congressman. " morag klaro na man kaayo nga ready na ang tulo ka congressman nga maghimo sila kaugalingong buho. Murag ready na sila mo challenge ni Aumentado" ,another source told me. The Guv is now on a balancing act in dealing with the combined force of the 3 congressman, the source added.

When  I asked the first source about his reflections of the meeting, he said " nag usik usik lang ta sa panahon. Klaro man kaayo nga di na mapugngan ang decisyon sa grupo sa 3 ka congreeman. Luoy paminawon si Guv nga mga sakop man unta ni niya." he said. And his bombshell... " Gusto pa man gani nila ilogan si Governor aumentado sa iyang chairmanship sa provincial Lakas," he stressed. The Guv serves in a concurrent capacity as provincial and regional chair of Lakas-CMD-KAMPI.

And the reaction of the Guv, I asked. The Guv simply said kuno ," Wa pa gani mo lingkud , mangilog na man mo ug puwesto."

Now, now, does this tiff have anything to do with the supposed open endorsement of the Guv to the congressional plans of Catigbian Mayor Bert Salinas for the 1st District? Does this have anything to do with the supposed dual promises of support of the Guv to chatto and also to Herrera? Or ,does this mean they could no longer find comfort on what the Guv says and what he does?

Also last Sept 2009, somebody told me that someone from the camp of Cong Chatto went to the camp of Noynoy Aquino in order to do some negotiations. Accordingly, Cong Chatto has expressed interest to join Noynoy Aquinos Liberal Party in the even he wouldn't get the official anointment of Lakas. When I asked Cong. Chatto about this , he texted back, " Not true, we have not talked to any group about party affiliations other than the party where we belong." But the source insisted the reliabilty of the information because he even leaked the supposed date when Chatto is supposed to talk to local party leaders. And he provided the name of the person who was approached and the name of the person who approached. ...Interesting ,right?

When I asked the good congressman about what transpired during the meeting last friday of Sept 2009, there was no reply to my text message. When I called him up several times, there were only rings but nobody answered. I would have asked him to comment about the other deatails of the story I got about his alleged "approach" to the camp of Noynoy Aquino. But he opted to invoke the Fifth Amendment. Of course, that is his right. I can not force him to answer my calls or text messages. And thats okay with me.

Now, now assuming this story to be true, is there a chance that Cong. Chatto will be accepted by Liberal Party? No way, no chance for that. This was the answer of a top Bohol politician who asked not to be named. " Chatto's hands are dirty. He was with the President when he went to the US and had those expensive dinners. Noynoy would not like to be associated with politicians who are close to the President," his explanation. This account about the US trip is not accurate. Cong Edgar Chatto told us  once in "Kwentas Klaras DYTR-AM" that he was not with the President when she had these costly dinners. And I want to believe that probably, this politician has already "approached" the camp of Noynoy Aquino and had gotten firm assurance that he would considered. If he had that assurance, naturally, Edgar Chatto has no more chance of becoming an LP bet for governor.

Stay tuned for more...Part 2 next when we return....