Pacquiao, Yap, Benguet mayors rap each other; folks, critics join melee
>> Wednesday, November 10, 2021
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Call it political
intramurals. Residents of this province rapped 10 mayors for “apparently
kowtowing” to Benguet congressional caretaker Rep. Eric Yap when they made a
statement defending the latter after presidential aspirant Sen. Emmanuel
"Manny" Pacquiao questioned the ACT-CIS party-list congressman’s
appointment as legislative caretaker of Benguet among other issues against
implementation of multibillion projects in the province.
Critics, even on social media, said election time was nearing thus the statement, but mayors would have none of these.
"Residents and government officials of Benguet welcomed Congressman Yap when he was appointed as the province's caretaker on January 20, 2020. Subsequently, he was declared an adopted son of Benguet on his birthday on May 11, 2020," the mayors said in the statement.
The signatories of the statement included Atok Mayor Raymundo Sarac, Bakun Mayor Bill Raymundo, Bokod Mayor Thomas Wales Jr., Buguias Mayor Ruben Tindaan, Itogon Vice Mayor Adriano Carantes Jr., Kabayan Mayor Mouie Dawal, Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin, Kibungan Mayor Cesar Molitas, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, Mankayan Mayor Frenzel Ayong, Sablan Mayor Manuel Munar Jr., Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro.
Yap is running for congressman in Benguet in the 2022 national elections.
Former Gov. Crescencio Pacalso and Itogon Palangdan are running for the same post.
Critics said the mayors’ statement was part of political intramurals.
The mayors said Yap gave medical equipment like oxygen cylinders and supply to Benguet General Hospital and all district hospitals, brand new 4x4 ambulances for all 13 municipalities and BeGH, all allegedly drawn from his personal funds.
Critics, who requested anonymity however disputed this, saying public works contractors gave money for these.
According to the mayors, Yap ensured each household in the province received assistance from concerned government agencies.
Critics pointed out this was not the case as even in distribution of “ayuda (financial assistance funds),” a lot of families were left out.
"We are saddened that Senator Pacquiao came and just questioned Congressman Yap's presence in Benguet. It should not need emphasis but for Senator Pacquiao's informed realization, Congressman Yap is our own. He was adopted by us. He is one of us," the statement read.
"Pacquiao's actions can be comparable to a boxing match where he served as a judge, where he prejudged and made the final score even before the start and completion of the supposed match," it read.
The mayors called on the senator "to address the alleged questionable implementation of infrastructure projects to the Public Works department, which is the implementing agency and that the same should not be blamed on the legislative caretaker should there be any."
Pacquiao earlier said he will initiate a Senate investigation on alleged anomalous rock-netting projects in the province and linked Yap to these.
According to Pacquiao, the budget for road and slope protection projects in Benguet reached P9.578 billion for this year alone from P1.929 billion in 2020.
Projects included those for slope protection and flood control which were reportedly overpriced.
In December 2020, Yap was one of congressmen tagged by President Duterte as involved in corruption but the latter admitted later there was no “hard evidence” for allegations.
Yap is the House committee on appropriation chairman.
In his recent visit to the province, Pacquiao criticized implementation of multi-billion peso rock netting projects implemented by the public works department in various road sections in the province.
Observers said the budget for the projects was way too high as compared to actual implementation.
Pacquiao met with some political leaders in the province at a hotel in nearby Baguio City where he was quoted as saying he will initiate a Senate inquiry on implementation of the multi-billion rock netting projects in Benguet.
Yap said Pacquiao allegedly hurled unverified and unvalidated allegations against him.
The lawmaker accused Pacquiao of carelessly using groundless information allegedly fed to him regarding rock netting projects in the province.
"I will not comment on his ability to discern the truth from lies, but I take offense to his statements which are clearly made for his political gains and that of my rivals in the province. Please do not use me as one of your publicity stunts," Yap said, referring to Pacquiao.
Yap said information was fed to Pacquiao by his political rivals.
Yap said Pacquiao should be extra careful in making statements, especially those being fed to him by those who want to use him to advance their own political and personal interests at the expense of other individuals during the political season.
Yap was appointed as the province's legislative caretaker on Jan. 20, 2020 following the untimely demise of the late representative Nestor B. Fongwan Sr. who succumbed to a lingering illness on Dec. 18, 2019.
Critics, even on social media, said election time was nearing thus the statement, but mayors would have none of these.
"Residents and government officials of Benguet welcomed Congressman Yap when he was appointed as the province's caretaker on January 20, 2020. Subsequently, he was declared an adopted son of Benguet on his birthday on May 11, 2020," the mayors said in the statement.
The signatories of the statement included Atok Mayor Raymundo Sarac, Bakun Mayor Bill Raymundo, Bokod Mayor Thomas Wales Jr., Buguias Mayor Ruben Tindaan, Itogon Vice Mayor Adriano Carantes Jr., Kabayan Mayor Mouie Dawal, Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin, Kibungan Mayor Cesar Molitas, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, Mankayan Mayor Frenzel Ayong, Sablan Mayor Manuel Munar Jr., Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro.
Yap is running for congressman in Benguet in the 2022 national elections.
Former Gov. Crescencio Pacalso and Itogon Palangdan are running for the same post.
Critics said the mayors’ statement was part of political intramurals.
The mayors said Yap gave medical equipment like oxygen cylinders and supply to Benguet General Hospital and all district hospitals, brand new 4x4 ambulances for all 13 municipalities and BeGH, all allegedly drawn from his personal funds.
Critics, who requested anonymity however disputed this, saying public works contractors gave money for these.
According to the mayors, Yap ensured each household in the province received assistance from concerned government agencies.
Critics pointed out this was not the case as even in distribution of “ayuda (financial assistance funds),” a lot of families were left out.
"We are saddened that Senator Pacquiao came and just questioned Congressman Yap's presence in Benguet. It should not need emphasis but for Senator Pacquiao's informed realization, Congressman Yap is our own. He was adopted by us. He is one of us," the statement read.
"Pacquiao's actions can be comparable to a boxing match where he served as a judge, where he prejudged and made the final score even before the start and completion of the supposed match," it read.
The mayors called on the senator "to address the alleged questionable implementation of infrastructure projects to the Public Works department, which is the implementing agency and that the same should not be blamed on the legislative caretaker should there be any."
Pacquiao earlier said he will initiate a Senate investigation on alleged anomalous rock-netting projects in the province and linked Yap to these.
According to Pacquiao, the budget for road and slope protection projects in Benguet reached P9.578 billion for this year alone from P1.929 billion in 2020.
Projects included those for slope protection and flood control which were reportedly overpriced.
In December 2020, Yap was one of congressmen tagged by President Duterte as involved in corruption but the latter admitted later there was no “hard evidence” for allegations.
Yap is the House committee on appropriation chairman.
In his recent visit to the province, Pacquiao criticized implementation of multi-billion peso rock netting projects implemented by the public works department in various road sections in the province.
Observers said the budget for the projects was way too high as compared to actual implementation.
Pacquiao met with some political leaders in the province at a hotel in nearby Baguio City where he was quoted as saying he will initiate a Senate inquiry on implementation of the multi-billion rock netting projects in Benguet.
Yap said Pacquiao allegedly hurled unverified and unvalidated allegations against him.
The lawmaker accused Pacquiao of carelessly using groundless information allegedly fed to him regarding rock netting projects in the province.
"I will not comment on his ability to discern the truth from lies, but I take offense to his statements which are clearly made for his political gains and that of my rivals in the province. Please do not use me as one of your publicity stunts," Yap said, referring to Pacquiao.
Yap said information was fed to Pacquiao by his political rivals.
Yap said Pacquiao should be extra careful in making statements, especially those being fed to him by those who want to use him to advance their own political and personal interests at the expense of other individuals during the political season.
Yap was appointed as the province's legislative caretaker on Jan. 20, 2020 following the untimely demise of the late representative Nestor B. Fongwan Sr. who succumbed to a lingering illness on Dec. 18, 2019.
0 comments:
Post a Comment