Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap is seeking another fresh term as a lawmaker with the hopes of continuing his legislative agenda and improve further the lives of his fellow y-Benguet.
Yap who is running under Lakas CMD, together with his local party United Benguet filed their certificate of candidacy Friday morning at the Benguet Comelec office in Baguio City.
“Today, we filed our COC to run as the Benguet Representative to Congress. I would like to subject myself to the electoral process again and hopefully given a fresh mandate, my last one as Congressman, to continue serving our kailyans and finish what I’ve started,” Yap said.
In seeking re-election, Yap is looking for long term solution to Benguet’s perennial problems on education, infrastructure, and health.
“Bukod sa mga nais nating tapusin na mga nasimulan, we want to continue planting seeds for the future. Long term solutions to perennial problems. My approach will be holistic as always; merong short term, medium and long term. All thematic areas. Public service and legislation. And programs will continue to pour in for Benguet, gaya ng mga nakaraang taon,” Yap added.
In seeking his re-election bid, Yap also chellnged his fellow candidates to deliver the services Benguet residents deserve, not only before the election but throughout their tenure.
“Since day one, we aspired to challenge the status quo. We want to set the bar so high para sa mga susunod na maglilingkod. Ayaw natin ng serbisyong lumalabas lang pag election, people do not deserve that. Benguet have many very capable leaders, maraming mga konsehal pa lang or Mayor or Board Members na may kakayahan at walang ibang interest sa pwesto but to serve our people. Yung mga simula dati pa, nagsisilbi na walang inaasahang kapalit at grounded sa problema ng tao. It is my hope that one day, these positions sa province will be occupied by those who have genuine heart and passion to help and serve,” Yap quipped.
The solon also reminded supporters of all camps not to engage in dirty tactics as it will only cause divisiveness.
“Campaign will be hard as always, nakita naman natin ano nangyari sa day 1 ng filing. And we are prepared for more. Matatalino ang mga taga Benguet. Ang panawagan ko lang sana sa mga tao, wag mag-away away para sa pulitiko. Election is just one day, campaign period is just 45 days, its not worth burning bridges and breaking relationships. Magkaisa tayo at magtulungan para sa Benguet,'” Yap closed.
Yap and his United Benguet Party are under Lakas-CMD party, which is led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s coalition for the 2025 elections, Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.
Joining Yap during the filling is re-electionist Gov. Melchor Diclas while incumbent board member Marie Rose Fongwan – Kepes who is seeking the vice gubernatorial seat.
Incumbent board members Alexander Fianza and Johannes Amuasen alos filed their COC for Benguet’s first district and was joined by newcomer Charmaine Molintas-Likigan.
In District 2, the slate includes incumbent Board Member Neptali Camsol, Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro, Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin, Buguias Mayor Ruben Tinda-an, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, and former Mankayan Mayor Frenzel Ayong.
Other candidates who have filed their COCs as of Oct. 4 are incumbent Benguet Vice Governor Ericson Felipe and Adam Yap who will both challenge incumbent Rep Yap, former Vice – Governor Jhonny Diwas Waguis for governor, and Nelson Dangwa for vice-governor.
Those seeking a seat in the provincial board for district 1 are Jhonar Simon Rebutazo, Johnny Galeo Galutan, and Myrna Nazarro while in District 2 are Thorrsson Montes Keith, Joel Belino Tingbaoen Jr. and Jim Galipen Botiwey.
Also filing their COC’s are Benguet Board Member Fernando Balaodan Sr. and Northern Luzon coordinator of the Raffy Tulfo In Action (RTIA) Help Center George Punasen.
Balaodan, a three-termer board member will run as vice – governor while newcomer in politics Punasen will run as governor. Roderick Osis
