𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠. 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹𝘂

ON THE last day of Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) filing on October 8, incumbent Tarlac second district Congressman Christian Yap and former Tarlac Governor and Congressman Victor Yap came to the provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) office to withdraw their respective candidacies…and the rest is what we all know now, the two swapped places. Vic will now run for congressman and Christian for governor.

The younger Christian has filed his CoC on the afternoon of October 7 for reelection while his uncle, Victor, filed his for governor of the province on October 5. So, simply put it, the positions they will seek come May 12 is already sealed…Vic to go for the highest provincial post opposite Paniqui Mayor Max Roxas and Christian will do battle with Tarlac city Mayor Cristy Angeles.

After the supposed protagonists for the gubernatorial and congressional posts have been “finalized”, so to speak, self-proclaimed political experts already went on social media and boldly claimed that the second district congressional race is already over. Christian will be bludgeoned by Cristy.

Well, it may be true if not for that swap.

Now that Vic is the one to face Cristy, what will be the result? Given the political clout and basing on the splendid track records of the Yaps when it comes to public service, Christian’s candidacy for governor is, I can claim, safe—he will win against his opponent hands down.

A few days ago, I am sure that those who are rooting for the city mayor to win the second district congressional seat are full of confident and full of bravado and are already dreaming of visiting congress once their candidate defeat Christian—anyway they say, Christian does not have the charisma to lure voters to his side versus Cristy.
But with that swap, it’s quiet understandable that they have already entertained the thought of defeat…they are not that confident anymore now that Vic is their opponent. I cannot blame them as Vic Yap is indeed a very strong force to reckon with in any political position.

How about Christian facing Max for the provincial diadem? Again, I am sure that Max’ supporters are now jumping in joy as Vic is already out of the picture and a lighter opponent is whom they will face come May 2025.

Yes, Christian is lighter, yes Christian is less experienced…but yes, Christian, in a provincial campaign will make mincemeat of his rival.

One has to remember that the Nationalist People’s Coalition party dominate the province. Incumbent mayors, vice mayors, councilors are all in support of any Yap candidacy most especially if it is for the position of governor and besides, we have seen the kind of public service a Yap can deliver to Tarlaqueños. For Christian’s opponent, after 12 years as an elected official, he still has to prove his worth.

Can Max defeat Christian in their gubernatorial fight? I doubt it very much. Comparing the services that is being provided by the Yaps against the distribution of money service exclusively being done by their opponents—who can defeat them?

The Yaps are facing all the same opponents come 2025…and before I forget—the swap did it and the swap doomed them!