Pacquiao's remarks irk Benguet mayors

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Mayors of the province said they were dismayed by presidential aspirant Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao questioning ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap's appointment as legislative caretaker of Benguet among other issues against implementation of multibillion projects in the province.
    In a statement signed by the mayors, Pacquiao was informed "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 added that in return, Yap consistently reciprocated his being a son by displaying a caring brand of leadership which translates to genuine public service, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Among accomplishments of the lawmaker in Benguet include giving medical equipment like oxygen cylinders and supply to Benguet General Hospital and all district hospitals, distribution of brand new 4x4 ambulances for all 13 municipalities and BeGH, which were all allegedly drawn from his personal funds.
    Yap, they said, also ensured each household in the province received assistance from concerned government agencies.
    "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.
    The mayors said Pacquiao has not won support from Benguet with this statement.
    "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."
    The signatories of the statement include 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.
    They reiterated their unified stand in support of Congressman Yap in his bid to help in the overall development of Benguet.
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 Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support party-list representative in Congress.

    He is the House committee on appropriation chairman and running for Benguet congressman in the 2021 elections.            Former Gov. Crescencio Pacalso and Itogon Palangdan are running for the same post in what political observers said would be an interesting fight. 

    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 allegedly met with some political leaders in the province at a hotel in nearby Baguio City and called for a media briefing where he was quoted as saying he will initiate a Senate inquiry on implementation of the multi-billion rock netting projects in Benguet.

    But 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 the information was fed to Pacquiao by his political rivals.

    Sinasabing fully implemented na at ang alam niya, 25 percent completed pa lang? Is that a question I should answer? Ako ba ang nagsabi na fully completed ang projects? Shouldn't it be the responsibility of the implementing agency?," he asked.

    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.