Governor Edgar Chatto was among the list of ten governors recognized by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for their relentless efforts in waging war against illegal drugs in their provinces.
The list was submitted by DILG Ismael Sueno to Malacanang after a stringent three stage screening process.
Sec. Sueno said “they should be recognized for their relentless anti drug campaign efforts”.
Chatto was on the “honor list” together with Imee Marcos (Ilocos Norte), Faustino Dy lll (Isabela), Junie Cua (Quirino), Jose Alvarez (Palawan), Eduardo Firmalo (Romblon), Alfredo Maranon (Negros Occidental), Hilario Davide lll (Cebu), Daisy Avancena Fuentes (South Cotabato) and Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante – Matba (Agusan del Norte).
According to the Inquirer report, the initial vetting stage automatically included 41 governors whose province were previously awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance.
In the second stage 35 governors remained in the list after six who were facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman and belonged to political dynasties were stricken off the list, according to the Inquirer report.
Media reports, information gathered from residents about the character and personality of the official and negative reports of the official’s relatives and circle of friends were among the factors considered in the 2nd process, according to the Inquirer.
From the second stage, the list was whittled down from 35 to 25 governors where performance feedback from DILG field personnel were meticulously sifted with strict orders that any hint or rumor regarding drugs or illegal gambling links should be seriously considered.
“When in doubt, don’t give any recommendation at all”, the DILG order stressed, according to the Inquirer.
Bohol recorded the most number of drug users/pushers who voluntarily gave themselves in to police authorities in Central Visayas in response to “Oplan Tokhang”.
Four police officers were also killed in the war on drugs in the province whose deaths were always remembered by Chatto on several occasions.
Several numbers of drug suspects were also killed during police operations and were also executed in what police authorities believed were “rub outs” perpetrated by drug groups.
Meanwhile, Sueno clarified that the national government will not give additional incentives to top governors who were recently identified in terms of good governance, transparency, business competitive and disaster preparedness.
“We are not giving them extra bonuses by being announced as the good guys in the government,†Secretary Sueno said in a Press Conference earlier this afternoon in Malacanang.
The secretary said the governors that were listed as ‘good performing local executives’ are selected based on their achievements in their respective provinces.
Secretary Sueno likewise explained the recognition of top governors was only initial as the national government through the DILG will also recognize outstanding city and municipal mayors in the coming weeks.
He also clarified that the idea of coming up with a list of top governors is intended to challenge and inspire the local chief executives to continue to improve leadership in the local government units (LGUs) despite the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs that are affecting some local leaders.
He said some of the governors that are in the good governors’ list were also among those that were labeled as members of the political dynasties because they have outweighed the issue of ‘political dynasty†and proved that they are ‘very good administrators.’
“Maybe they are. Maybe they are members of the dynasties but they have proven to be very good administrators and very good governors. So, maybe na-outweigh iyong pagka members nila ng dynasties and by their performance as governors,†Sueno said.