FEBRUARY 5, 2026 — ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Edvic Yap has officially resigned from the House of Representatives, a move announced on the plenary floor by House Deputy Majority Leader Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon. 

“Mr. Speaker, for the information of the body, we are in receipt of a letter from Rep. Edvic Yap of ACT-CIS party-list informing the House of Representatives of his resignation as member of the House,” she said. 

With no objections from the 300-plus chamber, Yap was promptly dropped from the roll of members.

On paper, it looks like a simple resignation. But let’s be honest — does anyone really believe this is just about “personal reasons”? 

Yap’s exit comes on the heels of a corruption scandal that has rocked Congress, involving anomalous flood control projects worth billions. The Court of Appeals had already frozen the assets of Yap and his brother, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, over their alleged ties to Silverwolves Construction Corporation, the company linked to unfinished yet fully paid flood control projects in La Union.

The timing is telling. Just three months ago, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that Yap and Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto received money through bank transfers from contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya — key players in the flood control mess. Remulla even tagged Yap as a “person of interest.” 

How convenient that resignation comes now, when the heat is at its peak.

Let’s not forget that Edvic Yap wasn’t just another congressman. He was vice chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations. His brother Eric, who previously chaired the same committee, has also been dragged into the controversy. 

Eric has denied allegations from whistleblower Orly Guteza that he delivered suitcases of cash to then-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, calling the claims “untrue.” But denials don’t erase the fact that the Yaps are now under intense public scrutiny.

So what does this mean for the public? Flood control projects are supposed to protect communities from disasters, yet billions have allegedly been pocketed while projects remain unfinished. Who suffers? Us, of course, who brace for floods every rainy season.

For some, Yap’s resignation might look like accountability, but is it really? Or is it a calculated move to dodge further embarrassment while the party-list scrambles to name a replacement? Will this resignation somehow silence the controversy, or will it fuel even more questions about how deep corruption really runs in Congress?

(Image: Wikipedia)