Governor Edgar Chatto on Friday said that he respects the decision of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr. to refuse being awarded as among the Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW) for 2018.

According to Chatto, Evasco had the right to either accept or reject the award and that he did not judge the Cabinet secretary for choosing not to be accorded the honor.

“We always respect the opinion of anyone. When you are nominated, you are free to refuse, because it’s his personal right to say yes or no to anything,” said Chatto.

Chatto noted that it was the first time that a supposed recipient of the TOBAW award refused to accept it.

He said that it is normal for different people to have varying reactions to being offered the award.

However, TOBAW awardees were given letters informing them that they were to receive the award prior to the ceremonies.

Chatto said that Evasco could have informed the organizing committee beforehand that he was not accepting the award.

Evasco, after his refusal to accept the award, explained that that government officials, both elected and appointed, need not be awarded for their work in government.

“Ang gobyerno dili tagaan og award. Kay ngano, pag take oath niya, pag hural niya, pag sumpa niya—apil na diha ang mga elected gikan sa presidente hangtud na sa barangay officials ug apil pod ng gitawag nga appointed sa gobyerno—ila mang gi-ingon nga ‘ako mo-trabaho gamiton nako ang akong kapasidad ug kahibalo para sa pag-protektar sa interes sa tawo’,” said Evasco.

The TOBAW, is a triennial recognition accorded to Boholanos deemed to be exemplary in their field of endeavors.

According to the TOBAW website, the award is accorded to Boholanos who have “distinguished themselves at the forefront of their chosen field of endeavors and significantly contributed to the well-being of the Boholano community and the nation through philanthropic efforts and/or volunteerism.” (ad)