Cong. Eric Yap to Pacquiao: ‘Stop being a ‘tool’ for political gimmickry

HOUSE Appropriations Committee chair and Benguet congressional district caretaker, Rep. Eric Go Yap, cautioned Sen. Manny ‘Pacman/ Pacquiao from being used as a “tool” by some political quarters in Benguet to malign his name and reputation.

In a statement, Yap said, “It is very unfortunate that Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is seeking the presidency next year, decided to throw allegations that were clearly made to malign my reputation and character in Benguet.”

Pacquiao, who is now running for president, was in Benguet last October 26, 2021, purportedly to help residents who were victimized recently by natural calamities.

The press statement from Pacquiao’s camp said boxing’s former pound-for-pound king in particular extended financial assistance to the families of the three young siblings who perished during a landslide triggered by the heavy rains due to typhoon Maring a few weeks ago.

Pacquiao personally handed over P200,000 in financial assistance to  Romnick and Stephanie Teligo, the Benguet couple who lost their three children due to landslides caused by Typhoon Maring.

Aside from distributing relief goods to those affected by the typhoon in La Trinidad, Pacquiao also met with Benguet provincial officials led by Governor Melchor Diclas, “to discuss possible areas of cooperation especially in disaster mitigation and in providing assistance to vegetable farmers,” his statement said.

However, during his press conference, Pacquiao took a jab at Yap and the state of the infrastructure projects in Benguet that the senator claimed, without any solid proof, contributed to the flooding and landslides in the province resulting to casualties.

“Hindi lang itong Typhoon Maring ang dahilan ng nakakaawang kalagayan niyong ating mga farmers sa Benguet. Mas malaking sakuna ang dala nitong Covid pandemic at itong patuloy na pananamantala ng mga kawatan sa gobyerno,” Pacquiao said.

But according to Yap, Pacquiao’s “narrative was consistent with those of my political opponents in the province; obviously, it was fed to him and (which) he carelessly used in his media interview.

“I will not comment on his ability to discern the truth from lies, but I take offense on his statements which are clearly made for political gains.

“Please do not use me as one of your publicity stunts,” Yap said.

“What is unfathomable here is the fact that he has a conclusion in mind already.

“May bumulong siguro na ‘Si Congressman Yap po ang may kasalanan dyan,’ and he stuck with that.

“Sabi nya meron daw P9 billion worth of projects na sinabing fully implemented na at ang alam nya, 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,” Yap reminded Pacquiao.

“I urge the good Senator to be careful (with) his statements,” Yap said.

“(He should) not be a tool for the political interests of my opponents; you should know when a person is being used as a weapon by some people with selfish interests,” Yap added further.