The Honorable
Eric Yap
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Benguet's lone district
Assumed office
June 30, 2022
Caretaker: January 20, 2020 – June 30, 2022
Preceded byNestor B. Fongwan
Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives
for ACT-CIS party-list
In office
June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Serving with Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo and Niña Taduran
House committee chairmanships
Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations
Assumed office
March 2, 2020
Preceded byIsidro Ungab
Chair of the
House Committee on Games and Amusements
In office
July 22, 2019 – March 2, 2020
Preceded byGustavo Tambunting
Succeeded byJoseph Bernos
Personal details
Born
Eric Go Yap

(1979-05-11) May 11, 1979
Quezon City, Philippines
Political partyNational Unity Party (2019–present)[1]
Other political
affiliations		United Benguet Party
ACT-CIS (2018–2022)
Alma materUniversity of Santo Tomas (BS)

Eric Go Yap (born May 11, 1979) is a Filipino politician serving as the Representative for Benguet's lone congressional district since 2022, and was the district's legislative caretaker from January 2020 until he was elected in his own right. He was a party-list representative for ACT-CIS from 2019 to 2022, and is the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations since March 2020.

Yap is among the principal authors of House Bill No. 5477 which was signed into law as Republic Act No. 11463 in December 2019 as an act to establish the Malasakit Centers—a one-stop shop for government medical and financial assistance[2] and among the main proponents of House Bill 7778 or the establishment of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.[3]

Yap spearheaded various programs in Benguet such as Mobile Tulong,[4] Mobile Oxygen,[5] Youth Assistance Program,[6] and infrastructure projects.[7]

Early life and education

Yap was born on May 11, 1979 in Quezon City.[8] His father was Engracio Yap[9] and his siblings include Edvic Yap, a member of the House of Representatives for ACT-CIS Partylist, and Egay Yap, a member of the Quezon City Council.[10]

He studied in the University of Santo Tomas from 1997 to 2002, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree.[11]

Political career

House of Representatives

Representative of ACT-CIS party-list

Yap, along with Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo and Rowena Niña Taduran, were elected as party-list representatives for ACT-CIS in the 2019 elections.[12][13] Garnering 2.6 million votes (9.45% of the turnout), ACT-CIS topped the party-list election and won the maximum three seats.[12][14] On the commencement of the 18th congress, Yap was appointed as chairman of the Games and Amusements Committee.[15][16]

Yap was one of the principal authors of House Bill No. 5477 which was signed into law as Republic Act No. 11463 by President Duterte in December 2019 which institutionalizes the Malasakit Centers—a one-stop shop for government medical and financial assistance.[17][18]

On March 2, 2020, Yap was appointed as chairman of the Appropriations Committee replacing Isidro Ungab (Davao City–3rd). Yap is the first neophyte congressman and first party-list representative to lead the Committee on Appropriations.[16]

In June 2020, Yap along with Paolo Duterte and Lord Allan Velasco, filed House Bill No. 7031 which aims to rename Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas. Yap explained that they were "not discrediting the heroic contributions of late Senator Aquino...we just deem it more appropriate for our international airport to bear the name of the country. Instead of it reflecting just one hero, we want it to reflect our everyday heroes—the Filipino people."[19]

ABS-CBN franchise, House leadership crisis

In July 2020, amid the House's hearing on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, Yap disclosed that an emissary from the media company attempted to bribe him ₱200 million to vote in favor of the network's franchise renewal. Yap responded that his "principle and vote are not for sale". In an official statement, ABS-CBN denied Yap's allegations, saying: "We believe in the process and we have participated in the process".[20] Yap later clarified that "he was not accusing ABS-CBN", explaining that he received a phone call from "someone claiming to be an ABS-CBN emissary", and that he was not able to verify if the caller's claims were true.[21] On July 10, Yap, together with 69 other members of the Committee on Legislative Franchises, voted to deny the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.[22]

During the speakership crisis between Alan Peter Cayetano and Lord Allan Velasco, the former met with Paolo Duterte and Yap.[23] However, Yap clarified that he did not side with either of the two.[24] On October 13, when Cayetano and Velasco both claimed to be the speaker, Yap requested the rivals to settle the issue or else he, as chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, would handle the deliberations for the 2021 national budget.[25] When Velasco replaced Cayetano, Yap was allowed to keep his committee chairmanship.[26] On November 18, he became a vice chair of the Committee on Accounts where Paolo Duterte was the new chairman.[27]

Legislative caretaker of Benguet

After the death of Benguet representative Nestor Fongwan Sr. on December 18, 2019, Yap was appointed as the legislative caretaker of the district on January 20, 2020.[28][29][30] The appointment became controversial as Yap is not from Benguet or Cordillera. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Benguet has passed a resolution asking Congress to conduct a special election to fill the vacancy in the House.[31] In May 2020, the SP passed another resolution making Yap an "adopted son of Benguet" in recognition for his sincere support for the province.[32]

One of Yap's plans for Benguet was to re-nationalize Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) and increase its bed capacity.[18] In September 2020, he attended the opening ceremony of BeGH's molecular biology laboratory, which he personally funded. However, the project was criticized for bearing Yap's name as Benguet General Hospital Molecular Biology Laboratory Eric Yap Building. Yap said he was unaware that the hospital management named the laboratory after him. He then asked the management to remove his name from the laboratory.[33][34]

Yap was known to visit remote areas of Benguet to extend public service and implement projects.[35][36]

In October 2021, presidential aspirant and Senator Manny Pacquiao accused Yap of being involved in alleged overpriced slope protection and flood control projects in Benguet.[37] Yap lamented that his political opponents were attempting to discredit him by using Pacquiao.[38] A few days after the accusation, Benguet mayors came to Yap's defense and expressed dismay at Pacquiao's pronouncements saying:

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.

— Mayors of the Municipalities of Benguet, Statement of Support for Cong. Eric Yap[37][39]

Committee assignments and House positions

Yap served on the following House committees and in the following House positions.

Congressman of Benguet

Yap was elected as Representative for Benguet's lone congressional district by a landslide over his closest rival, Itogon mayor Victor Palangdan in the 2022 May elections.[35]

Personal life

Yap is a close friend of Paolo Duterte.[40][41][42] He resides in Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges in Loacan, Itogon, Benguet,[43] a luxury master-planned development owned by the same company that runs Balesin Island Club.[44]

Yap was a judge at the finals night of Miss Universe Philippines 2020, the pageant's first edition.[45]

References

  1. ↑ Cruz, RG (August 1, 2019). "Paolo Duterte adopted in National Unity Party". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  2. ↑ Ranada, Pia. "Duterte signs Go's Malasakit Center law in Malacañang ceremony". Rappler. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Benguet Caretaker files Cordillera autonomy bill". NEDA CAR. October 5, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Congressman Yap assures continuity of mobile 'tulong' program". Herald Express. February 28, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Benguet hospital receives oxygen tanks". Zigzag Weekly. October 31, 2021.
  6. ↑ "P25 million set aside for Youth Assistance Program in Benguet". Herald Express. May 16, 2021.
  7. ↑ "More infra projects in Benguet". SunStar Baguio. September 16, 2020.
  8. ↑ Dumlao, Artemio. "Caretaker no more: Party-list rep Yap gets Benguet House seat". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Egay Yap comforted by friends, supporters amid dad's passing". metromanila.politics.com.ph. March 24, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Keeping up with the Yaps: Egay, Edvic, and Eric". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  11. ↑ Antonio, Raymund (July 4, 2022). "Keeping up with the Yaps: Egay, Edvic, and Eric". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  12. 1 2 "51 groups proclaimed as party-list winners". The Philippine Star. May 22, 2019. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  13. ↑ Gavilan, Jodesz (May 23, 2019). "Neophyte party-list reps include businessmen, political clans, former gov't officials". Rappler. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  14. ↑ Delizo, Michael Joe (May 22, 2019). "Backdoor to power: Rise of Duterte-allied party-list seen to boost admin's hold". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  15. ↑ Cepeda, Mara (July 22, 2019). "LIST: House committee chairmanships for 18th Congress". Rappler. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  16. 1 2 Porcalla, Delon (March 3, 2020). "Cayetano opponents lose key House posts". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  17. ↑ Ranada, Pia. "Duterte signs Go's Malasakit Center law in Malacañang ceremony". Rappler. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  18. 1 2 Hent (February 10, 2020). "Re-nationalization, more bed capacity for BeGH pushed". Herald Express. Baguio City. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  19. ↑ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (June 26, 2020). "Solon defends move to rename NAIA, says fighting COVID-19 still priority". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  20. ↑ Dela Cruz, Divina Nova Joy (July 9, 2020). "Lawmaker bares ABS-CBN 'P200-M' offer; network denies bribe". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  21. ↑ Maru, Davinci (July 9, 2020). "Solon denies linking ABS-CBN to alleged P200-M bribe try". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  22. ↑ Perez-Rubio, Bella (July 10, 2020). "List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS-CBN franchise renewal". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Congressman claims Cayetano-Duterte weekend meeting held in Manila, not Davao City". CNN Philippines. September 27, 2020. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  24. ↑ Colcol, Erwin (October 1, 2020). "Eric Yap says he's 'neutral' in Cayetano-Velasco speakership row". GMA News. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  25. ↑ Mercado, Neil Arwin (October 13, 2020). "Cayetano, Velasco urged: Put speakership row to plenary vote". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Cayetano allies Yap, Villafuerte can keep posts - Velasco camp". ABS-CBN News. October 13, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  27. ↑ Mercado, Neil Arwin (November 18, 2020). "More Cayetano allies lose key posts as House leadership revamp continues". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Party-list solon designated as Benguet caretaker". GMA News Online. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  29. ↑ Agoot, Liza; Dennis, Jr., Dionisio. "House names party-list solon as Benguet caretaker". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  30. ↑ Soriano, Michelle. "ACT-CIS' Eric Go Yap appointed caretaker congressman of Benguet". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  31. ↑ Cimatu, Frank (January 22, 2020). "House names non-Cordilleran as Benguet caretaker congressman". Rappler. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  32. ↑ Alimondo, Lauren (May 13, 2020). "Benguet adopts caretaker". SunStar. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  33. ↑ Cepeda, Mara (September 14, 2020). "Lawmaker Eric Yap mocks Pinoy Ako Blog for Benguet lab jab". Rappler. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  34. ↑ Alimondo, Lauren (September 15, 2020). "Isolation facility needed before Benguet opens door to tourists". SunStar. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  35. 1 2 Comanda Rizaldy C. (May 11, 2022). "Yap proclaimed congressman in Benguet". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  36. ↑ Herald Express News Team (September 14, 2020). "Cong. Yap extends public service to remote Benguet village". Herald Express. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020.
  37. 1 2 "Benguet mayors up in arms versus Pacquiao's unvalidated remark". Herald Express. October 30, 2021. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  38. ↑ Sarao, Zacarian (October 27, 2021). "Rep. Eric Yap says his opponents using Pacquiao in move to probe Benguet projects". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Statement of Support for Cong. Eric Yap". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  40. ↑ Cepeda, Mara (September 23, 2020). "In House power play, Speaker Cayetano's Palace dreams are at stake". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020. ACT-CIS Representative Eric Yap, Paolo Duterte's close friend...
  41. ↑ Yap, DJ (March 4, 2020). "Palace: Duterte won't interfere in House rivalry". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020. Rep. Eric Yap of the ACT-CIS party list, a close friend of the President's son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
  42. ↑ Quismorio, Ellson (October 8, 2020). "Pulong refuses to choose between Alan Peter, Lord". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020. ...ACT-CIS Party-List Rep. Eric Yap, a close friend of the Davao solon...
  43. ↑ "Yap's disqualification case junked". Baguio Herald Express. January 23, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  44. ↑ Nitura, Jam; Mistal, Samantha V (March 19, 2021). "Here's How Much It Costs to Stay at Heart Evangelista's Favorite Mountain Lodge Near Baguio". Preview.ph. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Harry Roque, Eric Yap among Miss Universe Philippines 2020 judges". Rappler. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
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