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BENGUET, Philippines — While Benguet’s newly elected governor, vice governor, and provincial board members have all been officially proclaimed, the province’s lone congressional seat remains in limbo. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the proclamation of reelected Representative Eric Go Yap following a pending disqualification complaint.
At 1:40 pm, Tuesday, May 13, Benguet Provincial Election Supervisor and Cordillera Assistant Regional Election Director Vanessa M. Roncal publicly read the dispositive portion of the Comelec Second Division’s order:
“In view of the foregoing, the Commission Second Division orders the suspension of proclamation of respondent Eric G. Yap as Representative of the Lone District of Benguet. The suspension of the proclamation shall be effective until further orders of the Commission.”
Despite earning a landslide 144,093 votes, which Yap noted as potentially the largest in the province’s history, he will not be proclaimed until the case is resolved.
In a statement, Yap acknowledged the legal process but assured constituents there was no cause for concern.
“No one is above the law and we are willing to abide by it. What matters most is we won. 144,000 votes — that might be the biggest in history,” Yap said.
“But perhaps the reason for the delay is the volume of pending cases at the Commission. In 2022, I faced a similar case involving my citizenship, and it was already resolved.”
Yap said that he has already submitted his response, including his birth certificate and a copy of the court’s 2022 decision affirming his eligibility. He described the timing of the Comelec order as ironic.c“Nakakatuwa nga yung timing — 12:42 pm. Isipin mo kung umaga na-proclaim ako, like 10 am (The timing was amusing — 12:42 pm. Imagine if the proclamation had taken place in the morning),” he said.
“But again, nothing changes. I remain committed to my service. Let’s just give the Comelec time to resolve the case. Wala naman dapat ipag-alala, kasi walang merit ‘yung kaso (There’s nothing to worry about, because the case has no merit) .”
Lakas-CMD dominates provincial races
While Yap’s proclamation is on hold, the rest of the Lakas-CMD slate secured a decisive sweep in the province.
Governor Melchor Diclas was re-elected with 116,212 votes (57.44%), while Vice Governor Marierose Fongwan-Kepes earned 116,169 votes (59.95%).
In the First District, where 75,830 out of 89,108 registered voters cast their ballots (85.10% turnout), the following were proclaimed:
- Sander Fianza (Lakas-CMD) – 36,154 votes (16.42%)
- Johannes Amuasen (Lakas-CMD) – 34,694 (15.76%)
- Charmaine Molintas (Lakas-CMD) – 31,922 (14.50%)
- Thomas Wales Jr. (United Benguet Party) – 31,289 (14.21%)
In the Second District, with 135,097 out of 160,621 voters participating (84.11% turnout), these six candidates emerged victorious:
- Ruben Tinda-an (Lakas-CMD) – 67,731 (12.93%)
- Romeo Salda (Lakas-CMD) – 63,802 (12.18%)
- Manny Fermin (Lakas-CMD) – 63,405 (12.10%)
- Armando Lauro (Lakas-CMD) – 59,379 (11.33%)
- Neptali Camsol (Lakas-CMD) – 57,547 (10.99%)
- Jim Botiwey (PFP) – 48,019 (9.17%)
Legal history of the case
The current disqualification complaint is reminiscent of the 2021 and 2022 petitions against Yap’s voter registration and citizenship, which were dismissed by both the Municipal and Regional Trial Courts.
In a 25-page ruling in December 2021, Judge Charlie Vallo of the Itogon Municipal Trial Court ruled that the petitioners lacked legal standing and evidence. The court said:
“The affidavits presented were baseless, speculative, and self-serving. This court will not be used as a tool by opportunistic individuals seeking to harass the respondent.”
The RTC Branch 10, under Judge George Manaois Jr., later affirmed this dismissal in January 2022, describing the appeal as “patently lacking in merit.”
Both courts upheld Yap’s voter registration in Loacan, Itogon, which had been approved by the Itogon Election Registration Board on January 18, 2021, after he had satisfied the residency requirement under the law.
Yap was confident that the current case would similarly be dismissed. “Kahit hindi tayo ma-proclaim ngayon, Congressman pa rin tayo. Meron pa tayong hanggang July 1. Hopefully, by June 30, ma-proclaim na tayo.”
(Even if we’re not proclaimed now, I’m still the Congressman. We have until July 1. Hopefully, we’ll be proclaimed by June 30.)
Asked about his legislative agenda if proclaimed, Yap cited three key priorities:
1. Youth empowerment – “Mailagay natin sila sa tamang landas… para makagraduate at makahanap ng trabaho. (Let’s help guide our youth toward the right path so they can graduate and find work.)”
2. Health services – Ituloy-tuloy natin ang pagpapagamot sa may sakit. (We will continue providing medical aid to those in need.)
3. Infrastructure development – “Matapos natin ang Benguet Convention Center, at hopefully yung Pilando Bridge.” (We aim to finish the Benguet Convention Center and, hopefully, the Pilando Bridge.)
For now, Benguet awaits a decision from the Commission on Elections, while its top vote-getter remains unproclaimed, but undeterred. – Rappler.com
