Former Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II, now running for congressman in Bohol’s First District, is facing a disqualification complaint filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over alleged vote-buying during a campaign rally.

The petition, filed by five residents of Barangay Bil-isan in Panglao, includes a video posted on Facebook on April 26, 2025.

In the clip, Yap is allegedly heard promising P5,000 to voters and P20,000 to senior citizens if they support his candidacy.

The statement, made in the Bisayan language, was translated and submitted as evidence by the complainants, who argued it violated the Omnibus Election Code’s ban on vote-buying.

Complainants Alfeo Estologa Usaraga, Albert Guibone Bompat, Renato Aronales Sarahina, Olimpio Bonao Bompat, and Ursula Hormachuelos Bompat attested under oath to the authenticity of the video, stating it was neither doctored nor misleading.

Yap is seeking a congressional seat in the May 12, 2025 elections.

Camp of Yap Calls Petition a ‘Cheap Gimmick’

In response, Yap’s legal counsel Atty. Carlo Carandang dismissed the petition as a political stunt, claiming the video was taken out of context.

Speaking to radio station DYTR, Carandang said the video was edited to mislead viewers, insisting it was part of a comedy routine during a community gathering.

He clarified that the statement was related to a long-running health and welfare program during Yap’s administration called “From Womb to Tomb,” which provides assistance to pregnant women and senior citizens in Tagbilaran City.

“Just because someone saw a Facebook video doesn’t mean the evidence is strong enough to disqualify a candidate,” Carandang said.

He noted that filing a petition does not mean a candidate is disqualified, correcting what he called misleading social media posts.

Carandang also noted that one of the petitioners was a known client of one of Yap’s political rivals, suggesting possible political motivation behind the complaint.

Yap is contesting the congressional seat against incumbent Atty. Rep. Edgar Migruño Chatto and Atty. Pizarras.