Kevin Damalerio, the Executive Assistant to Gov. Arthur Yap, and also the governor’s political officer, and 2 other Capitol officials described the report of a media outlet released on April 1, 2022, about the alleged defection of a key leader of the Art Yap Organization (AYO) to the camp of Cong. Erico Aristotle Aumentado as an April Fool’s Day prank.

A separate story on page 1 states the position of Provincial Administrator Kathyrin Pioquinto and Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog on this issue.

A media outlet bared that, allegedly, one of the pillars of the organization backing the governor, switched sides and now is in the camp of Cong. Aumentado.

The report said that Boy Quirog, the one who helped organize the AYO, allegedly managed to convince 20 out of 30 municipal leaders to defect and move over to Cong. Aumentado’s side.

In a radio interview, Quirog claimed to have recruited 9,700 barangay leaders and coordinators to be part of another group called Aris Para sa Kausaban (ARKA).

Boy Quirog reportedly supported before, Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos, and 1st District Cong. Edgar Chatto aside from Yap.

Quirog explained that Bohol needs to wake up and seek reforms in the way the province is being governed.

He also criticized the alleged inclusion of Yap’s political leaders in the provincial government’s payroll.

The Bohol Tribune got hold of Damalerio for his comments on the matter.

Damalerio said, “First of all, misleading ang article sa Bohol Chronicle ug balita sa dyRD. Misleading in the sense nga si Boy Quirog was never considered a pillar of AYO. In fact, dili na siya apil sa core group. We know his history. That is why we never trusted that man.”

Moreover Damalerio added, “No member of Art Yap Organization has defected. Let me also clarify the allegation nga gisulod ang tanang mga leaders sa Art Yap Organization as job order sa Kapitolyo. DAKONG BAKAK NA. Wala nay kamatuoran. Mao bitaw nga wala gyud mi maguol kabahin anang balita-a ug sa mga gisulti ni Boy Quirog kay dili man kana angay katuohan. Naluoy naman gani ko sa dyRD ug Bohol Chronicle nga  sa kadaghang tawo nga pwede nilang himuong source, si Boy Quirog pa gyud ang ilang gimention. No credibility at all. Aw, pareho rapud sila sa dyRD gud, wala nay kredibilidad.”

In addition, Damalerio quipped, “Kanang ilang mga gipang-ingon nga ilang nakuha nga converts nga mga leaders? Aysus, gipangtangtang na sa organization kay mao nay mga tipasi sa bugas. In short, mao nay di kasaligan. Pareho rana sila ni Boy Quirog.”

“Besides, what’s new? Makurat ba diay ta ug mangdaut ng dyRD ug Bohol Chronicle ni Gov. Yap? Dili naman siguro siguro ta makurat ana kay naanad nata ana nila. Sila maoy source ron sa fake news sa katawhan. Sila maoy tinubdan karon sa mga peke nga balita, nga unta sila man ang angayan nga sukaranan sa tinuod ug dili linubag nga mga taho. Ngano man? Desperado na ba gyud sila? Nahibawo na diay sila nga pildihonon na  ilang manok?”, Damalerio concluded.