City mayoralty candidate John Geesnel “Baba” Yap appeared unfazed by a survey result claiming that he was overtaken by lawyer Agustinus “Dodong” Gonzaga by six percentage points adding that on the contrary the crowds that attended his rallies were a manifestation that he is still the “man to beat”. This was the reaction of the camp of Baba Yap as it tried to dispute claims of a recent survey results released by the Holy Name University Research Center. According to the survey known as the Bohol Poll 2013, Yap is still on top with 37 points as against Gonzaga’s 30%. In disputing the latest survey hyped by the Gonzaga group, the Yap camp said rallies after rallies showed an overflowing crowd, an indication that the young candidate is still on top of the situation. A rally in Cogon last night showed a mammoth crowd that filled to the rafters the barangay’s gymnasium. In every barangay caucus, as accounts go, it was standing-room-only with people from the next barangay would even go out of their way to show their love and support to Baba Yap. On the recent survey release, the Yap camp warned that the public must be told that there are some people claiming to have HNU Bohol Poll surveys, but the fact is that there are only two HNU-commissioned Bohol Poll surveys, one was done last March 2-22 where Baba Yap led comfortably against the two other candidates. The other one, is yet to be released on May 10, 2013 by the HNU Research Center itself. The same press release said, knowing that there are only two HNU Poll surveys and the other one is still on May 10, any claims of any HNU Bohol Poll is fake.

Zeroing in on what is the best and most accurate gauge of public performance, the Yap camp said it is more on the voting public’s choice of a candidate who has served Tagbilaran in past years. It said unlike the traditional politicians who do nothing but to dream and promise services that will never happen after all because this is kind who is known not to keep their promise. In the case of Baba Yap, his trademark in the campaign is centered on his BABA Caravan of free services for the last three years where countless Tagbilaranons have been served like free medicines and medical check-up, free eye glass and check up, free dental services, livelihood training, financial assistance, scholarship programs and many more. This explains the use of the catchy slogan of Baba Yap, "BUHAT, kontra sa-ad!". It was also noted as the campaign for the city mayoralty is winding down that Baba Yap derives his strength from his strong faith in God and the undying support and love of his people. Wherever Baba Yap goes, people would run to him for help and he Yap readily helps everyone, regardless of political affiliations. As he would often say, "Mao kini ang tinud-anay nga panerbisyu, walay pili-pili kung kinsay tabangan, wala sagul pamulitika. Ang tanang katawhan sa Tagbilaran akong tabangan, ang inyung pag-asenso akung barugan!"