John Geesnell Yap


John Geesnell Lim Yap II, popularly known as Baba Yap, is a Filipino politician who has been the representative for Bohol's first district in the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 2025. He was previously the mayor of Tagbilaran, Bohol from 2013 to 2022 until he was succeeded by his wife Jane Yap.

Early life and education

Yap, born John Geesnell Lim Yap II, is the second son of John U. Yap and Geesnell N. Lim. He finished his elementary at Holy [Spirit School of Tagbilaran] in 1989 and secondary at Divine Word College of Tagbilaran, now Holy Name University in 1993. He took up accountancy at the University of [San Carlos] in Cebu City. He became the chief accountant of their family business at Bohol Tropics Resort Club and owns a nightclub called Lazer Party Club in Tagbilaran City.
Yap is married to Jane Censoria Cajes, a former Sangguniang Kabataan Bohol provincial president and national president who is 13 years his junior. They have one daughter Janah Geesnell.

Political career

Yap's first stint in politics began when he was elected as city councilor of Tagbilaran City during the 2010 elections.
In 2013, he ran for mayor and won against lawyer Agustinus Gonzaga of the Liberal Party and Dr. Abraham N. Lim, the brother of then outgoing mayor, Dan Lim. At the age of 35, he became the youngest city mayor of Tagbilaran. He ran for reelection in 2016 and won.
On May 13, 2019, Yap was reelected for a 3rd consecutive term and won with a landslide.

Awards