LP-Bohol bets test negative of drugs

TAGBILARAN CITY  , Philippines  â€” Following the allegation of gubernatorial bet, Carmen town Mayor Conchita Toribio-delos Reyes, that reelectionist Governor Edgar Chatto of the LP has been running the illegal drug trade in Bohol, all bets of the LP took turns in submitting themselves to a drug test and came out negative of drug use.

Chatto took the lead in submitting to a comprehensive drug test at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Regional Hospital on March 25, as witnessed by other provincial officials. The result showed him negative of drugs, negating the allegation of delos Reyes.

Delos Reyes’ allegations challenged the entire LP slate in the province to show their commitment to cleanse the province of the drug menace by proving that each of them actually started the fight against drugs.

The LP slate in the province marked the start of the local campaign period on March 30, five days after Chatto set the example, with the commitment to the constituents that they would launch a more serious fight against illegal drugs by setting up moral ascendancy and submitting themselves to a drug test.

Last Monday (April 8), the first to undergo the drug test were LP candidates for city councilors, lawyer Alexander Lim and city businessman Zenaido Rama. They were followed by Albuquerque town Mayor Efren Tungol and his entire slate.

The first batch of candidates for Provincial Board came at 8 a.m. for the test: 1st district re-electionists Cesar Tomas Lopez and Abeleon Damalerio. Another re-electionist PB Member Venzencio Arcamo failed to arrive because he was attending his visitors during his birthday bash at the time.

LP’s 2nd district PB seats’ hopefuls—Inabanga town Councilor Jovanna Cheng Jumamoy, and re-electionists Romulo Cepedoza and Bernardo Avenido Jr.—also came for the drug testing.

At 2 p.m., LP bets for the 3rd district PB had their turn: re-electionist Godofreda Tirol, and Elpidio Jala and Josil Trabajo. Another reelectionist PB Member Brigido Imboy was set to have his test later when he comes home from a trip abroad.

All the LP candidates tested negative of drug use, and they said this proved that the allegations of Bag-ong Bol-anons wrong. In the dare, delos Reyes however remained reluctant to heed the public clamor for her to submit also to a drug test. After all, she started the issue, they said.  (FREEMAN)