Governor Edgar Chatto on Wednesday said that he has “no problem” with gubernatorial bet Leoncio Evasco, Jr. attending the Capitol’s weekly press briefing “Kita ug ang Gobernador.”

Chatto issued the statement after Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio who has long been engaged in a word war with Evasco, invited the latter to join the press conference held every Friday morning at the Governor’s Mansion in Tagbilaran City.

“Wa koy problema ana. It’s a welcome development kay kana atong gitawag na Kita ug ang Gobernador open mana para sa mobisita sa programa,” said Chatto.

Damalerio earlier invited Evasco to join this week’s edition of Kita ug ang Gobernador, which is aired live over stations dyRD and dyTR, for the former Cabinet secretary to introduce himself.

Damalerio, who is also the campaign manager of gubernatorial candidate Deputy Speaker Arthur Yap, offered an hour of airtime to Evasco.

The invitation was an apparent swipe at Evasco after he begged off from joining the only gubernatorial candidates’ forum in Bohol and asked for 30 minutes to introduce himself during the event.

Evasco has cited varying reasons for his absence during the forum which was organized by the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) on April 23.

TIMELINE OF EVASCO’S STATEMENTS ON THE CANDIDATES’ FORUM:

• In a letter dated April 10 and sent to BCCI president Albert Uy, Evasco begged off from joining the event, citing “reservations” over the forum’s mechanics. No requests were made by Evasco through the letter.

• After saying he would not join the event, he later asked on April 16 for the event’s introduction time for candidates to be changed from three minutes to 30 minutes.
• The BCCI said that the event’s mechanics have been in place since 2010 and were used in its 2013 and 2016 editions. Congressional candidates for this year’s forum also followed the same format.
• On April 26, three days after the forum, Evasco issued another statement alleging that the BCCI set up a “trap” for him, hence, his absence from the forum. He also said that he was not on the same level as those who attended the event, Deputy Speaker Arthur Yap and comedian Amay Bisaya.

As Damalerio noted that he will be sitting beside Evasco if the latter attends the press conference, the program is seen to develop into a “no-holds-barred” debate for the two political figures.

READ:Damalerio offers 1 hour for Evasco to introduce self in Capitol presscon

Both have exchanged tirades against each other since the start of the election season. (RT)