By PR | 12:11 PM May 12, 2025
Former Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II, who is running for congressman in Bohol’s First District, is now facing a second disqualification complaint filed just a day before the May 12 midterm elections.
The latest complaint, filed with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on May 11, 2025, accuses Yap of vote-buying.
Petitioners Sylvia Nistal Matig-a, James Manhilot Pizarras, Christopher Rollorata Lunzaga, and Melchor Bonhayag Tangcawan allege that on May 11, individuals distributed cash ranging from ₱100 to ₱1,000 stapled to campaign materials bearing the names of “4 JOHN GEESNELL Yap, Baba CONGRESSMAN FIRST DISTRICT” and “2 Yap, Jane MAYOR.” The distributors reportedly urged recipients, “ayaw kalimti si Cong,” or “don’t forget the Congressman.”
This follows an earlier disqualification complaint filed on May 8, 2025, by five residents of Barangay Bil-Isan, Panglao. They submitted a video as evidence, allegedly showing Yap promising cash incentives to voters during a campaign event. In the video, Yap is heard saying in Boholano: “Duhang bulan gikan karon, mubalik si Baba Yap, singko mil (₱5,000) ako ihatag pero ug senior citizen, baynti mil (₱20,000) ako ihatag!”
Both complaints cite violations of Sections 261 and 68 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibit vote-buying and prescribe disqualification for candidates found guilty of such offenses.##
