Benguet, Philippines – “It is very unfortunate that Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is seeking the Presidency in 2022, is being used to advance the political interests of my opponents,” Benguet Caretaker Eric Yap said Tuesday, October 26 expressing dismay as the former told media that he will seek a Senate investigation on the P9-billion rock netting project in Benguet.
“Kung gusto po natin bumango sa Benguet, mag-trabaho tayo at hindi puro bato ng putik ang gawin. Huwag po ninyo akong gamitin sa sariling interes ninyo. Do not use me as a publicity stunt,” Yap said.
Yap said he would respond to Pacquiao’s allegation in ‘the right place and in the right time,’ claiming that what the Senator has said is being circulated by his opponents for ‘obvious’ intentions.
“Sa aking mga kababayan, hindi ba tayo napapagod sa ganitong klaseng istilo ng pamumulitika? Na lalabas lang ang mga ibang kandidato pag kailangan na ng boto? Na walang ibang kayang isigaw na achievements bukod sa paninira sa kalaban?” he stated.
Said response of Yap came out after reports that Pacquiao, having visited Benguet, received Tuesday a petition from a group seeking probe into the rock-netting projects in Benguet.
Pacquiao, in an interview with the media, said the Senate public works committee, which he chairs, will look into the complaint which he said is a legitimate concern.
“Nakita ko naman ‘yung mga papers totoo, ito ang files nila, ito ang mga pirma ng mga nagrereklamo ng corruption. I-hear natin ito, papakinggan natin, ipapatawag natin, ang involved dito ang caretaker si Congressman Eric Yap,” Pacquiao stated.
As recalled, Yap was also among the lawmakers named by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020 with alleged links to corruption, but the president admitted that he had “no hard evidence.”
Yap, as a response, denied this allegation and said that he would resign if the claim will be proven true.
Meantime, Yap in his statement said the election may be far yet, but he is sure the opposition is not yet over and as for him, he will just work and continue his service assuring that everyone will get help and nobody will be left behind.
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