Government vehicle being used in Yap’s mansion construction

Update on resigned congressman Edvic Yap, whose assets have been frozen and is barred from leaving the country:

• Construction of his mansion is ongoing on Rizal corner Biak-na-Bato streets in posh Ayala Heights, Diliman, Quezon City.

• Materials and workers are brought to the site by an apparent government vehicle with plate number NFD 1457. Photos and videos show the front doors of the white Mitsubishi L300 van marked “Egay Yap, District 4, Konseho.” At the rear sides is emblazoned Egay Yap’s half-body shot captioned “ACT-CIS Party List, Kakampi ng Inaapi at Naaabuso.”

• Councilor Egay Yap is a younger brother of Edvic and Benguet Rep. Eric Yap. He was elected councilor of Quezon City’s fourth district in May 2025. Edvic Yap was elected ACT-CIS party-list rep but resigned Feb. 4 after being linked to the P1.7-trillion flood works scandal.

• Edvic’s construction site consists of three contiguous lots. Area is around 2,550 square meters, one-fourth of a hectare. At P250,000 per square meter, the lots alone are worth P637.5 million. Developments like mansion, multi-story garage, swimming pool and cabañas can cost one-and-a-half times more, a real estate source said.

• The Sandiganbayan Anti-Corruption Court issued last Tuesday a “precautionary hold departure order” against Edvic and Eric Yap. The HDO has to do with their P180-million malversation case involving two fully-paid but unfinished flood control projects by their company.

• Finishing works at Edvic Yap’s mansion continues full blast after being reported in this column Feb. 11. Neighbors complain about the racket and dust from heavy equipment. Construction rules require surrounding the site with tarp to muffle the noise and prevent dirt kick-up.

• Photos and videos of Egay Yap’s vehicle were taken on Feb. 16 and 18. But unphotographed deliveries were made almost daily, going by the subdivision security logbook. The ombudsman was given copies of the images.

• Quezon City’s fourth district includes Diliman, where Ayala Heights is. Two other congressmen reside there. One of them has two lots, one for his house and the other for his luxury vehicles.

• Also in QC’s fourth district is the dining and entertainment hub Morato Avenue. Edvic Yap reportedly bought an entire block in the area, ombudsman investigators said. A senator holds private office in that block.

• Based on Homeowners Association records, Yap acquired the Ayala Heights property in late 2024. Demolition of the original mansion caused a racket in the first half of 2025, according to neighbors.

• Work suddenly stopped for two months, August-September, after President Bongbong Marcos denounced the P1.7-trillion flood works scam. Finishing works resumed in October 2025 and go on till today.

• Edvic Yap allegedly applied for renovation, not construction, permit. It was to avoid tedious paperwork.

• Edvic Yap didn’t answer calls and texts to the mobile number he left with subdivision administrators. His gardener answered calls to his other known number. The male said he’ll tell Yap or his aide to call back, to no avail. No replies either from Eric and Egay Yap.

DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon had charged the Yaps with malversation in connection with ghost, substandard, overpriced flood control projects. Malversation is non-bailable and merits life term.

The case concerns two flood works in Bauang, La Union by Silverwolves Construction Corp., which the Yaps supposedly own. Co-accused are DPWH officials who falsely certified project completion and endorsed full payment.

Silverwolves was incorporated in La Paz, Abra. The Yaps deny owning Silverwolves, saying they divested years ago. But Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said they’re still the beneficial owners.

The Sandiganbayan HDO doesn’t mean the Yaps are guilty. It is only precautionary to ensure their attendance in hearings.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure compiled evidence for the ombudsman complaint. As member of the ICI technical working group, the Anti-Money Laundering Council sought an asset freeze order from the Court of Appeals.

CA froze 289 bank accounts of the Yaps, Silverwolves, and Sky Yard. Also seized were 22 insurance policies, three securities accounts and eight aircraft.

AMLC discovered P70-million money transfers to the Yaps from flood works contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, whose assets have also been frozen. Remulla called it “bribe.”

Land Registration Authority, also part of ICI-TWG, is verifying the name of the Ayala Heights property owner, Usec. Renato “Aboy” Paraiso told this column.

But construction can still go on even if the real property is frozen, Paraiso said. It will be considered as improvements.

Ownership check will include relatives up to the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, Paraiso added. Freeze orders can still be issued on questioned assets registered under relatives’ names.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong linked the Yaps to P14-billion overpriced highway rock nettings, cat’s eyes and safety roller barriers in the Cordilleras since 2018. Formerly chief of PNP Investigation and Intelligence, Magalong quoted suppliers’ admissions that the Yaps cornered 90 percent of contracts.

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