LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Mayors of the province’s various downs were dismayed on the pronouncements of presidential aspirant and Senator Manny Pacquiao which were geared towards questioning the personality of Benguet Caretaker Congressman and Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list Rep. Eric Yap in being appointed as the legislative caretaker and other unverified issues against the implementation of multi-billion projects in Benguet.
In a statement signed by the mayors, Pacquiao was informed that the people and officialdom of Benguet warmly 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, Congressman Yap has consistently and warmly reciprocated his being a son by displaying a caring brand of leadership which translates to genuine public service, especially during the prevalence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Among the significant accomplishments of the lawmaker in Benguet include the put up and equipping the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH), the distribution of brand new 4×4 ambulances for all the 13 municipalities and BeGH, the provision of oxygen cylinders and oxygen supply for BeGH and all the district hospitals. Which were all drawn from his personal funds and ensuring that each of the households in the province will be receiving 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 stressed.
The mayors pointed out that Senator Pacquiao’s thinking that he will win over Benguet which has the largest number of voters in the Cordillera by lambasting Congressman Yap is misplaced. His conclusion and judgement by listening to a one-sided version which was obviously made by his political rivals is not befitting to a senator.
According to them, Pacquiao’s actuations 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.
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.
Obviously, the mayors asserted that Pacquiao has played into the hands of Congressman Yap’s detractors.
If the senator is really a fighter for good governance, the mayors reminded him that he should have checked on the credibility of the people that fed him with the evidently wrongly placed information and that he will find faults on the trails of the said personalities.
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 K. Salda, Mankayan Mayor Frenzel Ayong, Sablan Mayor Manuel Munar, Jr., Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro reiterated their unified stand in support of Congressman Yap in his bid to help in the overall development of Benguet. By HENT
