By PR | 12:25 PM May 08, 2025
First congressional district bet and former Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II is facing a formal disqualification complaint after he was allegedly caught on video promising cash incentives to voters—an act considered vote-buying and a violation of the Omnibus Election Code.
In a joint affidavit filed on Wednesday by five residents and registered voters of Barangay Bil-Isan, Panglao, Bohol, Yap, who is running for Congressman in Bohol’s First District in the upcoming May 12, 2025 elections, is accused of publicly offering money in exchange for votes during a campaign engagement captured on video.
The complainants—Alfeo Estologa Usaraga, Albert Guibone Bompat, Renato Aronales Sarahina, Olimpio Bonao Bompat, and Ursula Hormachuelos Bompat—testified under oath that they personally viewed a video posted on the Facebook page “Voice of Boholanon” on April 26, 2025. In the video, Yap is seen and heard declaring in Boholano:
“Duhang bulan gikan karon, mubalik si Baba Yap, singko mil (PHP 5,000.00) ako ihatag pero ug senior citizen, baynti mil (PHP 20,000.00) ako ihatag!… naay senior nga ni pakpak sa likod oh!”
[Two months from now, Baba Yap will return. I will give five thousand pesos (PHP 5,000.00), but if it is a senior citizen, I will give twenty thousand pesos! A senior citizen already clapped at the back.]
The complainants claim this statement was clearly made in the context of campaign activities and was intended to influence or induce voters—a violation of Section 261(a) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, or the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits vote-buying.
The video, which remains accessible via the Facebook page, is cited as key evidence. The complainants assert that the footage is genuine, unaltered, and accurately represents the events as they transpired.
In their affidavit, the group also formally authenticated the video evidence, attesting to its accuracy and relevance in support of their petition to disqualify Yap from the congressional race. The document was signed and sworn before a notary public in Tagbilaran City.
If found guilty of vote-buying, Yap could face disqualification under Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code.
Yap has yet to issue a statement.
