Cebu City—The Ombudsman for the Visayas has set the preliminary hearing of the rape and administrative charges filed against a former governor of Southern Leyte on Aug. 28.
Former Southern Leyte Governor Christopherson Yap was summoned by the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas for the preliminary hearing of the criminal cases filed against him for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl.
In its two-page notice, the Ombudsman ordered Yap to appear before Prosecution Officer Darius Sagadal.
Yap, who is no longer in public office, is a businessman from Sogod town who was elected vice governor in 2016 and was installed as governor in August 2017 when the Ombudsman dismissed then Governor Damian Mercado for alleged graft.
The complainant was supported in filing the case by the Crusade Against Violence Visayas led by Thelma Chiong.
In her complaint filed before provincial prosecutor Efren Mendoza, the victim alleged that she was raped by Yap the first time they got acquainted in November 2016, when Yap was still vice governor.
She said together with a friend, she was invited to a drinking session with Yap by his driver/assistant Romeo Gonzales. She said was invited by Yap to get inside his sports utility vehicle where he allegedly raped her.
“I could not shout and be heard because the music was loud and the Montero’s doors were locked. I was also afraid of him because he was the vice governor of Southern Leyte back then,” the victim said in her affidavit.
The victim said Yap attempted to rape her again two weeks after the first incident when Yap’s assistant asked to join another drinking session.
Together with a friend and a male cousin, the victim was brought to a gasoline station owned by the former vice governor.
In her affidavit, the victim said Yap followed her to the comfort room and attempted to rape her again.
Her male cousin heard her screaming and started shouting outside the toilet, prompting Yap to let her go.