Ombudsman tags Eric Yap ‘person of interest’ in substandard La Union flood control projects

Benguet Representative Eric Yap, former chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, is the latest lawmaker to be tagged as a “congtractor” and has been named a person of interest in the alleged substandard flood control projects in La Union.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla made the announcement on Thursday following the filing of corruption complaints by Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) chairperson Justice Andres Reyes and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon against DPWH officials and private contractors, including Silverwolves Construction.

Remulla and Dizon confirmed that Yap was the beneficial owner of Silverwolves, which was allegedly responsible for the La Union flood control projects that were fully paid but not completed.

Remulla said Yap had divested from Silverwolves a few years ago, “but there’s reason to suspect that he’s still a beneficial owner of the company,” calling it a “clear case for conflict of interest” in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019).

“Congressmen should not partake of contracts, should not even be related to the people doing the contracts,” Remulla told reporters shortly after the filing.

Dizon clarified, however, that Yap was not included as a respondent in the complaint pending verification by the Ombudsman.

Thirteen officials, including those from Silverwolves, were charged with misappropriation of public funds through falsification of public documents related to the La Union projects.

The ICI and DPWH also filed a similar complaint against ten officers allegedly involved in a “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental, which implicated the Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Corp.

Most of the respondents are regional DPWH officers. The two cases will undergo preliminary investigation, with the respondents required to submit counter-affidavits.

Dizon disclosed that the Davao project, worth P96.5 million, was bid out in 2021 and awarded to St. Timothy in 2022. It was supposed to be completed that same year but was never constructed. Work reportedly began only in August 2025, barely a month after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a sweeping investigation into flood control project anomalies.

St. Timothy is facing multiple cases before the Ombudsman, all linked to the flood control scam.

Remulla confirmed that Yap is the second lawmaker identified as a “congtractor,” a portmanteau of congressman and contractor. The first was Elizaldy Co, who is also under probe for alleged corruption involving Sunwest Corp., one of the top contractors that secured P100 billion worth of projects from June 2022 to May 2025.

Co resigned as Ako Bicol representative in late September, citing medical reasons amid the height of the investigation.

Yap, who led the House appropriations panel during the Duterte administration, was succeeded by Co in the 19th Congress.

Remulla said a review of contracts awarded to Silverwolves during Yap’s tenure as appropriations chair is forthcoming.

During a Senate hearing in September, Orly Guteza, alleged aide of Co, accused Yap of delivering 46 suitcases of cash as kickbacks to Co’s residence in Taguig.

Yap dismissed the allegations as “untrue,” saying he is open to facing his accuser “in the proper forum and under proceedings where my constitutional rights are respected.”

Yap and Co are among several lawmakers implicated in the alleged kickback scheme tied to anomalous flood control projects.

Remulla added that, similar to Co, Yap’s assets will also be frozen as he is now considered a person of interest.