Balilihan Mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto, wife of Bohol First District Congressman Edgar M. Chatto, has denounced a post on social media that claimed her husband was airlifted to another place outside of Bohol for an immediate treatment of a certain form of illness.
The post, which was allegedly spread by Willy Ramasola, was proven to be fake news by reliable sources.
In fact, the same sources said that while the post was circulating on social media, Cong. Chatto was actively attending the session in the House of Congress.
Mayor Chatto expressed her dismay over the malicious post, which she said caused alarm and unnecessary worry on those who read it.
She revealed that some of their family members and friends who are far from them called them to verify if Cong. Chatto was in an emergency situation.
“I hope and pray that this kind of (foolishness) should be stopped because it causes alarm and unnecessary worry on those who read it! Naa intawn nanawag namo , Family members and friends who are far from us kay nag validate og tinuud ba gi Emergency si Edgar. Simbako intawn ninyo! Ma consciencia unta pud mo oy! Naa pud moy mga pamilya – malipay ba mo og binuangan mo og ingon ani! I presume you have been educated in good schools, raised well by your parents, I wonder why you don’t possess even an iota of kindness and respect on your fellowmen especially on one who has not even done anything wrong to you,” Mayor Pureza said in a statement.
“What a disgrace to your families and friends! I pray for your own peace of mind and genuine happiness which I believe can never be found in destroying other people,” she added.
The former first lady of Bohol urged the public to be vigilant and discerning about the information they see and share on social media, and to report any false or misleading posts to the authorities.
Cong. Chatto, who is serving his fourth term as the representative of the first district of Bohol, is known for his advocacy on health, education, tourism, and infrastructure development.
Chatto, who was Bohol Governor for nine years until 2019, is the chairman of the House Committee on Tourism and the vice-chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.