Another disqualification petition filed vs Benguet lawmaker Eric Go Yap

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It is the fourth petition filed against Benguet Representative Eric Yap since the May 12 elections

BAGUIO, Philippines – Benguet Representative Eric Go Yap is facing a fourth disqualification petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), this time over alleged violations of campaign regulations under the Fair Election Act and a Comelec resolution.

The petition, filed on May 21 by Leopold Dizon Lamsis of Bokod, Benguet, accused Yap of allowing or failing to prevent the illegal posting of campaign materials in restricted areas during the campaign period, an election offense punishable by disqualification.

The petitioner, through lawyer Jon Cris Borja, asked the Comelec to disqualify Yap from assuming office and to cancel his certificate of candidacy. The petition also sought to have all votes cast in Yap’s favor declared stray.

The complaint cited alleged violations of a Comelec resolution that prohibits the posting of campaign materials on trees, electric posts, public infrastructure and non-designated spaces. Lamsis submitted photos showing posters of Yap and his partymates affixed to trees and public structures across La Trinidad and Itogon, Benguet.

The petition also invoked an election rule set by the Comelec and the Fair Election Act, stressing that such violations remain valid grounds for disqualification even after the elections.

Despite garnering 144,093 votes – more than double that of his closest rival, Ericson “Tagel” Felipe – Yap has not been proclaimed the winner due to the petitions.

In a social media post on Thursday evening, May 22, Yap confirmed receiving a digital copy of the complaint, which he said was sent to him by the petitioner’s legal counsel.

“Another disqualification case against me by the other camp,” Yap wrote. “We will answer this one as well sa tamang venue (in the proper venue), and this will definitely delay my proclamation again. I will continue to fight dahil alam kong kinabukasan ng probinsya ang nakasasalay dito (because I know the future of the province is at stake here).”

He questioned the petitioner’s request for a confidentiality order. Yap publicly posted front pages of the petition, including the request for confidentiality.

“Why would you ask for a gag order if you believe you are doing the right thing?” Yap said in Filipino. “The moment it was emailed to me, it already became a public document. The people have the right to know the truth.”

It was the fourth legal petition filed against Yap since the May 12 polls. The first, which led to the suspension of his proclamation, questioned his citizenship. Two other petitions, filed last week by Melton Ladiocan of Buguias and Mario Ludaes of Mankayan, alleged vote-buying and failure to meet residency requirements, respectively.

Yap served as the legislative caretaker of Benguet in January 2020 following the death of Representative Nestor Fongwan Sr. 

He later ran and won the congressional seat in 2022. His 2021 voter registration in Loacan, Itogon, was legally challenged on grounds of alleged non-residency and citizenship. However, both the Municipal Trial Court and the Regional Trial Court ruled in his favor, stating that the petitioners failed to present substantial evidence and that citizenship could not be decided through voter exclusion proceedings.

What happens if no one is proclaimed by June 30?

Under the law, members of the House of Representatives begin their term at noon on June 30. If no one is proclaimed by then, the seat remains vacant. The President cannot appoint a congressman. Only the House leadership may assign a legislative caretaker, while the Comelec may call a special election if necessary.

Benguet could be left without representation in Congress if the legal uncertainty continues.

As the countdown to June 30 continues, the fate of Benguet’s lone congressional seat – and the 144,093 votes cast for Yap – now rests with the Comelec. – Rappler.com