Amid an uproar from his rival’s camp, Deputy Speaker Arthur Yap said that the photo of him and presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio which was used for his campaign posters was genuine and not manipulated.
“We do not engage in fake news and propaganda,” said Yap in response to doubts raised over the photo’s authenticity.
The posters, which showed Duterte raising Yap’s hand, drew attention in social media last Friday, barely two weeks after Duterte personally endorsed Evasco’s gubernatorial bid at a campaign caravan at the Holy Name University on March 20.
The photo used for the poster was taken during a birthday celebration of Yap in Metro Manila in November, last year, less than a month after both Yap and Evasco were set on a collision course as they both filed their certificates of candidacy for Bohol governor in October.
“You have my strong assurance that all my posters are legitimate and have the consent of the parties involved for release to the public,” Yap said.
Yap explained that the “endorsement” should not have come as a surprise as he belongs to the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
“I am just wondering why the camp of Evasco makes a big issue out of this endorsement when I never raise an eyebrow over their claimed endorsement of President Duterte to whose party I belong,” Yap added.
While Yap belongs to PDP-Laban, Evasco is with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Evasco however is a longtime ally of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Yap told the Chronicle that he is working along fine with Sara while they share some mutual concerns for the development of their respective areas of responsibility.
“We work together well with Mayor Sara,” Yap said.
Last month, the Hugpong ng Pagbabago led by Sara staged a campaign caravan in Tagbilaran City which was joined by Evasco and his Tinuod Bol-anon slate.
Sara endorsed the gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial bids of Evasco and his running mate Tomas Abapo, Jr., respectively, during the political rally.