The recently released endorsement of presidential daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of gubernatorial bet, Rep. Art Yap created political indignation from the camp of opponent bet, Leoncio Evasco, Jr.
The photo showing Yap’s hand raised by the Mayor Sara came barely two weeks after Evasco was also personally endorsed during a rally held at the Holy Name University oval last March 26.
Supporters of Evasco went wild on social media accusing the photo endorsement of Yap as “fake.” In fact, they came out with a foto encircling the portion of their hands like saying this an edited photo released by the camp of Yap.
In a press statement issued yesterday, Yap said “we do not engage in fake news and propaganda.”
“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.
He explained that being under Partido ng Demokratikong Pilpino (PDP) which is the party of Pres. Rodrgio Duterte, it should not be a surprise that the president’s daughter will endorse him as the party’s candidate for governor of Bohol.
“I am just wondering why the camp of Evasco makes a big issue out of this endorsement when I never raise an eyebrow their claimed endorsement of Pres. Duterte to whose party I belong,” Yap commented.
While Yap belongs to PDP-Laban, Evasco is with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) of Danding Cojuangco of which is in coalition with the Hugpong Pagbabago of Mayor Sara.
Yap told the Chronicle, that he is working along fine with Mayor Sara while they share some mutual concerns for the development of their respective places.
“We work together well with Mayor Sara,” Yap described their bonding as friends and allies with the lady Davao mayor.
Yap stressed that he always respects other people’s claims thus he appealed to his opponent’s leaders and supporters to do the same – a trait a Boholano is known for.
The gubernatorial bet assured the Boholano electorate that never will their camp release any fake news as they always advocate for the truth.
He expressed dismay on how Evasco’s supporters articulate themselves in the social media like a certain Willy Ramasola who stated in his FB account “magpakatotoo ka naman Art Yap. Kaya pala iniwan ka ng misis mo kasi hindi ka totoo eh. Hihihi.”
Yap emerged in the recent Bohol Poll to be leading against Evasco during a survey conducted last Feb 12 to March 6 in the entire province. Yap pooled 53% against Evasco’s 35%. This survey was labelled by Evasco’s camp to be fake while a day after some of his supporters showed a survey allegedly done by Manila-based Pulse Asia wherein Evasco was leading over Yap.
Few days later, Pulse Asia Research, Inc. President Ronald D. Holmes issued a statement denying having conducted that survey released by Evasco’s supporters which countered the results of the HNU Bohol Poll.