Lawmaker was asked to yield the post to another candidate

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental first district Rep. Melecio Yap, who was elected in 2016, announced he would not be seeking reelection in 2019, saying he wanted to “rest.”

The congressman said he was asked to vacate his post for San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, who is on his third and final term, and instead run for Escalante City mayor.

Yap noted, incumbent Escalante City Mayor Eddie Montero is his cousin and he has no intention of “displacing” his relative.

“I don’t want to rock the boat,” he said.

Yap previously served three terms as Escalante City mayor before running and winning the 2016 congressional race.

In addition, the lawmaker endorsed the unity ticket of Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for governor and former Negros Occidental fourth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer for vice governor./DGB, WDJ