Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap on Thursday reaffirmed that she is the ‘duly elected and lawful mayor’ of the city.
Her statement came after Vice Mayor Katrina Theresa ‘KT’ Go and Councilor Jojo Briones reportedly took their oaths as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, on the same day. Go is the daughter of former Tarlac City mayor and current Tarlac Representative Christy Angeles, whom Yap does not consider an ally.
Yap described the so-called oath taking as ‘devoid of any legal effect’ because the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ‘merely issued a Certificate of Finality and an Entry of Judgment.’
The two officials reportedly took their oaths after the Comelec en banc overturned an earlier ruling that had dismissed a disqualification case against her, effectively disqualifying her from the 2025 local elections and nullifying her proclamation.
The ruling cited her alleged failure to prove legal residence in Barangay Tibag, Tarlac City, as required by law.
In a statement, she clarified that ‘no writ of execution or order for implementation has been issued and served,’ adding that ‘under established legal procedures, such an order must be properly transmitted and served by the Department of the Interior and Local Government before any assumption of office may be lawfully effected.’
‘Premature’
Yap, a former governor, added that the ‘oath-taking is premature, invalid, and without legal force or authority.’
According to Yap, the action of Briones ‘constitutes a clear disregard of due process and established legal procedure, and can only be viewed as an attempt to undermine stability and lawful governance in Tarlac City.’ ‘
We call on all concerned to respect the rule of law and allow the proper legal processes to take their course,’ Yap said.
On Monday, the Liga ng mga Barangay (league of barangays) in the province issued Resolution No. 2 expressing its ‘full and unwavering support’ for her, calling her as the ‘duly elected and legitimate Mayor of Tarlac City.’
The resolution, unanimously approved in the league’s regular meeting, cited her ‘faithful adherence to all election laws and proven record of service to the people of Tarlac