Comelec proclaims Eric Yap Benguet congressman with finality

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Eric Go Yap is officially proclaimed as Benguet's congressman after Comelec clears legal hurdles

BENGUET, Philippines – The Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) officially proclaimed Eric Go Yap as the duly elected congressman of Benguet, Wednesday, July 2, following the issuance of a certificate of finality by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc.

The certificate of finality pertains to the earliest and most critical of the seven disqualification petitions filed against Yap, SPA No. 25-208 (DC), which alleged material misrepresentation in his certificate of candidacy regarding his citizenship. It was this case that led to the suspension of his proclamation after the May 12 elections, despite receiving 144,093 votes, more than twice that of his closest rival, Ericson “Tagel” Felipe.

With the final ruling now in effect, the Comelec Second Division formally directed the PBOC to reconvene and proceed with the proclamation, which was carried out at the Benguet Provincial Capitol on Wednesday morning.

In a statement to the media, Yap expressed relief and gratitude that the legal process had reached a conclusion.

“Masaya ako na tapos na yung mga kaso. Tapos na yung mga issues na ‘yan. I hope na sana po matigil naman rin po. Magtulungan po tayo para pagandahin ang probinsya ng Benguet,” he said.

(“I’m happy that the cases and issues are over. I hope this finally ends. Let’s work together to improve Benguet.”)

Yap acknowledged that the delay in his proclamation caused a lapse in representation after his term officially ended on June 30.

“Yung June 30, hindi na tayo umabot, so nagkaroon na ng intermission sa term natin kaya yung mga funds na nakuha natin eh umakyat,” he explained.

(“We didn’t make it to June 30, so there was a break in our term. As a result, the funds we had were reverted.”)

Despite this, Yap assured constituents that his office would continue to function through coordination with ACT-CIS party list.

“Nandito naman ang ACT-CIS party list. Magagamit natin yung pondo nila and I will continue to work para makakuha ulit ng mga pondo na magagamit sa probinsya.”

(ACT-CIS party list is still here. We can use their funds and I will keep working to bring in more resources for the province.)

He also reiterated his commitment to serve only until 2028.

“Sinasabi ko naman lagi na hanggang 2028 na lang ako dito sa pagiging congressman. Tulungan ninyo ako na pagandahin ang ating probinsya.”

(As I’ve always said, I will only serve as congressman until 2028. Please help me improve our province.)

The dismissal of the first petition cleared the path for Yap’s official assumption of office. The remaining six disqualification cases have also been successively denied by the Comelec Second Division on various procedural and substantive grounds, including lack of evidence and failure to meet mandatory legal requirements.

With all cases resolved in his favor, Yap now resumes his post as Benguet’s lone district representative in the 20th Congress, ending nearly two months of legal uncertainty for the province. – Rappler.com