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.
In 2013, he ran for mayor and won against lawyer Agustinus Gonzaga of the Liberal and Dr Abraham N. Lim (UNA), the brother of then outgoing mayor, Dan Lim.
[2] On May 13, 2019, Yap was reelected for 3rd consecutive term and won via landslide.