Gov. Edgar Chatto has tested negative for illegal drugs or any dangerous substances in separate credible examinations to which his falsely accusing political opponent did not submit herself. Not even a shadow of gubernatorial contender and Carmen Mayor Conchita De los Reyes did turn up for the twin drug tests at the state hospital and police crime laboratories on Monday. Many thought should she refuse examination for reason she only could tell, her mere presence would have saved her from inexcusable flak for her own dangerous gimmick that the governor is "engaged in illegal drug activities." Both the laboratory analyses of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory at Camp Dagohoy proved Chatto to have not indulged in prohibited drugs. As a consequence, the moral authority and ascendancy of the reelectionist governor have attained a far greater degree of consistency, according to observers who include respectable community leaders from various sectors. Whereas, they said, the public has started seeing the feisty lady, who is catching her breath in the race for Bohol's top elective mandate, advancing her candidacy to the brink of total rejection.
Chatto volunteered for drug examination as a "candidate for public service" and a "person." While Boholanos agreed that Chatto need not clear himself, his voluntary submission and the negative result---plus De los Reyes' failure to submit for drug test---rendered totally incredible her allegation that he is behind illegal drug trafficking. Taking hint from crime busters, Chatto supported the theory that drug traffickers do taste their stuff and eventually get hooked to it with slight difference from addicts or habitual drug users. The separate but uniform findings of the hospital and the police show the governor to be negative for methamphetamine, an essential ingredient for shabu, and dangerous drug tetrahydrocannabinol. The Bohol Tri-Media Association (BTMA) led by its president, Fred Araneta of DYRD, covered live the examination process, which was also witnessed by the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – Bohol Unit headed by chief agent Ma. Chona Egam, GCGMH chief Dr. Nenita Moraga-Po and laboratory head Dr. Juanita Arcay. Members of the Bohol PNP Crime Laboratory Office themselves came to the GCGMH and conducted their own testing simultaneous with the examination by the hospital laboratory technician-analyst.
GCGMH laboratory analyst Noel Matutes signed the negative finding report, as approved by Arcay, on the drug test done at the hospital. Forensic chemical officer CInsp. Pinky Sayson Acog rendered and signed the PNP Crime Laboratory Office chemistry report of the same finding. Many now doubt if the public can accept the credibility of any "negative" finding which De los Reyes may later be able to present, especially if her examiner is hired and the drug test done privately. The harsh-tongued provincial standard bearer of the widely-ridiculed Bag-ong Bol-anon group has been tight-lipped to the governor's "invitation" to a joint drug test at the GCGMH. The DYRD Radyo Mercado survey on Saturday, a day after Chatto issued the challenge, generated a deafening public disgust at the lady politician's attack on the governor, who does not even drink and smoke, and his fellow provincial leaders as illegal drug traffickers. Some survey respondents had to suggest to De Los Reyes to also undergo a "neuro test" or "mental check-up." They cited her "unbelievably irresponsible" statement as she heightened her political propaganda to pulverize Chatto's honor obviously by whatever means, including deceit and falsehood to poison the public mind. Chatto urged all other candidates to undergo drug test as he challenged those, not just De los Reyes, who claim to be serious about the anti-drug campaign to do the same.
The governor said "if we are true to our advocacy against illegal drugs, then seriousness must start from among us." "A person who leads the campaign must be beyond question, whether you are a governor or mayor," Chatto said. He was stunned in disbelief by the audacity of the accusation against him by his political opponent, especially when his life has been an open book to the Boholanos. The governor's voluntary drug test makes a lasting statement on the credibility of the leadership in the fight against the most scattered crime and dreaded root of offenses today. "Anybody who leads the campaign against illegal drugs must be above suspicion and free from any doubt," declared the governor who chairs both the provincial and regional peace and order councils. In intimate defense of her husband, Bohol's First Lady, Pureza Veloso-Chatto, braver in pain, posted this on her Facebook: "I am proud of my husband, Gov Edgar M. Chatto. He is blessed with genuine peace of mind and happiness and a sincere heart to serve his fellowmen. Not a single grain of drug is ever needed in his system to enjoy these God-given gifts. Only the miserable, desperate and lost soul needs drug to enjoy even an iota of fake happiness, false peace and sheer guts to rule over his fellowmen. I am sorry for the miserable, the desperate and the lost souls. You can never even make a dent on God's shield over His beloved soldier." (Ven rebo Arigo)
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