Congressman Edgar Chatto yesterday chose to ignore the tirades unleased by V-Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera involving the recent congress of the Barangay Livestock Aides (BALAs). Although he refused to name names, Herrera stop short of naming Chatto as having directed the “surreptitious effort to distribute T-shirts for a potential gubernatorial candidate”. Reading between the lines, it was obvious that the vice governor was referring to his potential rival for governor— Chatto. In making deadma, the Tagalog slang for looking the other way, the Chatto camp instead highlighted the congressman's effort in supporting BALA's programs and trust in their capacity as partners in development. Put differently, Chatto's move was interpreted as having dodge Herrera's “bullets” during BALA's affair. A Chatto press release said four-time BALA Provincial Federation President Elpedio Rebosura said they are looking forward to a more sustained partnership with the last-termer congressman, who has led in surveys for next governor. Rebosura likewise deeply appreciated the administration of last-termer Gov. Erico Aumentado for sustaining the thrusts of BALA, which was established and organized provincewide when Chatto was then the vice governor with Rene Relampagos as governor.

The federation can always rely on such leaders as the governor and the congressman in enhancing the quality of the lives of the Boholanos thru their support to the livestock industry, according to the BALA head. Rebosura said their help in capacitating them as industry frontline workers is alone a motivation for them to work harder and attain the vision for BALA, a nationally-awarded Bohol government-instituted anti-poverty approach. On behalf of the federation, Rebosura thanked Chatto for his support, including the solon's free uniform T-shirts to more than 1,200 BALA members, during their provincial assembly last July 29. He also thanked the men and women under provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz for guiding the livestock aides. Rebosura received a leadership award during the BALA Provincial Congress “for his able stewardship, unselfish dedication and exemplary service motivated by the spirit of volunteerism that invaluably contributed to the successful implementation of various livestock and poultry programs” in Bohol .

But the BALA provincial head, whose base BALA-Antequera was adjudged the most outstanding municipal chapter, recognized the support of Chatto and the province from which the livestock aides have drawn strength. Rebosura said their group has witnessed how Chatto assisted them thru the provision of BALA kits and financial assistance since his vice governorship until he became congressman. BALA municipal federation vice president Leopoldo Lacre, Jr. of Sierra-Bullones said Chatto's latest support to the BALA Provincial Congress simply proves how the solon values the work of the barangay livestock aides. Chatto granted the support request of BALA even if the congressman flew together with Pres. Arroyo to the United States on the day of the BALA provincial assembly. Meanwhile, BALA member and former barangay kagawad Andres Concon of Tugas in the island-town of Pres. Garcia thanked Chatto for assisting his hospitalized relative. The livestock aide had to personally see and ask help from Chatto who happened to entertain a visiting senator at Bohol Tropics on Friday. Chatto did not fail the sick.