Signatures affixed on documents implicating a former Bohol Congressman in the implementation of the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) were found to be forged according to handwriting experts from the top investigative agency in the country.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in an Handwriting Examination Report 380-814 on the Questioned signatures of  then 1st District Congressman Edgar M. Chatto on August 13, 2015 concluded that the questioned signatures and the standard sample signature of Chatto “were not written by one and the same person”.

The report further showed that based on the comparative examination made on the specimens submitted by Chatto revealed significant fundamental differences in the handwriting characteristics and habit between the questioned and the standard sample signatures of Edgar M. Chatto.

The forged signatures of Chatto, now Governor of Bohol were allegedly affixed on documents supporting the release of P174.184M of “pork barrel” fund allocation during his third term Congressman on 2007-2009.

Each congressman gets P70M a year for their pet projects that is released to an implementing agency and farmed out to accredited Non Government Organizations (NGO’s) for implementation.

The Handwriting Examination was requested by Chatto following a 462 page COA Report implicating four former Bohol Congressmen in a highly irregular manner funds were utilized to implement projects in connivance with Implementing agencies, bogus NGO’s, non-existent suppliers and fake beneficiaries.

Chatto denied signatures in all documents relating to disbursement of PDAF funds except in the letter interposing no objections for the NGO to implement projects.

Based on forensic science, scientific handwriting analysis and techniques of image processing, the NBI report established the differences between the forger’s writing and those of the original writer.

Fundamental differences were found in the structural form of letters and elements, movement and direction of line strokes and the manner of execution in the signatures of Chatto and the forger.

The Questioned Handwritting Examination Report No. 380-814 was approved by the NBI Questioned Documents department.and the  NBI Forensic Investigation Service. (Chito M. Visarra/Bohol Chronicle)