Yap eyeing House seat

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has announced his intention to run for a seat in the House of Representatives representing Bohol.

His second in command, Undersecretary Jesus Paras, also said he is running to represent the first district of Bukidnon.

Yap made the announcement at the Manila Overseas Press Club Farmers’ and Fishers’ Night at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati Friday night.

He, however, would not disclose under which political party he is running.

Yap and Paras have not yet resigned from their positions because they are still waiting for the Supreme Court decision on the petition filed by election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.

Last week, Macalintal asked the Supreme Court to nullify the resolution passed by the Commission on Elections implementing the forced resignation of appointed government officials upon filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Nov. 30.

He argued that the advance filing of COCs is only conducted for the early printing of names of the candidates on the ballots that will be used in the automated elections.

He said appointed officials seeking election should only resign at the start of the campaign period in February 2010.