An individual based overseas was sued by Benguet Cong. Eric Go Yap for allegedlly maligning the lawmaker on social media.
“It is no longer an exercise of freedom of expression, that person has been making defamatory remarks and malicious statements. Enough is enough. Hindi naman po natin pinapansin pero I came across it at nagulat talaga ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, wow sobra naman ito,” said the solon.
Yap, in his affidavit, said the cyber libel complaint raps were filed for maligning and defaming him via social media posts on Facebook.
Yap assumed as a caretaker of the province of Benguet in 2020 and was elected full time representative in 2022, and has been on the receiving end of several accusations including derogatory remarks in several social media platforms but has ignored all the allegations and invectives hurled against him.
“Mahaba ang pasensya ko sa ganyan, tanggap ko na ang style nila is negative campaigning. Pero there should still be a line that we do not cross, yung nakakasira na ng pagkatao at kung ano – ano na lang ang binabato. Masakit na for my family, my friends. Masyadong marumi na. Is this the type of politics na gusto natin mangyari sa Benguet?” added Yap.
Yap emphasized that while he respects freedom of speech, the spread of baseless and damaging allegations must be addressed through legal means and stressed the continuous online attacks have not only tarnished his reputation but also misled the public with false accusations.
The solon also sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to identify other social media pages that have been spreading similar malicious statements.
The NBI is currently investigating and tracing the administrators behind certain Facebook pages that have allegedly engaging in Cyber Libel in an effort to discredit Yap.
“This will not be the last, our lawyers are now consolidating a list at nagpatulong na tayo sa NBI Cyber Crime office to identify yung mga nasa likod ng anonymous Facebook pages and troll accounts to hold them accountable sa actions and statements nila. And may lead na daw sila kung sino mga ito, definitely they are paid so kasama sa titignan yan, yung mga nag-fifinance because this is an organized attack on me,” Yap said. Press Release from the office of Congressman Eric Yap
