Richard Gomez apologizes for “media spin” allegation

Richard Gomez removes reporters’ personal info on FB post.

richard gomez privilege speech

Congressman Richard Gomez: “To the members of the press who took offense in my social media post, I sincerely apologize. Sensitive information has been removed. I understand the media endeavor to get my side of the story. I acknowledge your efforts. I am sorry and I could have handled it better.”
PHOTO/S: House of Representatives of the Philippines Facebook

Humingi ng paumanhin si Leyte Fourth District Richard Gomez sa mga miyembro ng media sa kanyang personal at collective privilege speech sa Kongreso ngayong Martes, Setyembre 2, 2025.

May kinalaman ang paghingi ng paumanhin ni Gomez sa paglalabas nito sa kanyang Facebook page ng screenshots ng mga mensahe at personal contact numbers ng mga mamamahayag mula sa iba’t ibang news organizations na nagbakasakaling makuha ang panig niya tungkol sa paratang ni Matag-ob Leyte Mayor Bernie Tacoy.

Inilahad ni Tacoy sa Facebook live nito noong Agosto 26 ang diumano’y kakulangan ng suporta ni Gomez sa bayan na nasasakupan nito.

Iniugnay rin ng alkalde ang actor-politician sa flood control project na nawasak dahil sa malakas na buhos ng ulan noong Agosto 25.

RICHARD GOMEZ’S FACEBOOK POST

Dahil sa magkakasunod na text messages na natanggap ni Gomez mula sa mga mamamahayag ng iba’t ibang news organizations, naghinala siyang may “media spin” laban sa kanya.

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Ibinahagi ni Gomez sa Facebook page nito ang screenshot ng mga mensahe at tinawag niyang “ungas” ang mga reporter.

Post niya: “Mahal din itong media spin na ginagawa nila against me.

“Look at the similarities of the different socmeds and agencies asking questions.

“Alam na alam mong merong nagkukumpas.

“Alam na alam mong ginastusan. Ayus ahhhh. Gastos pa more mga ungas.”

RICHARD GOMEZ APOLOGIZES TO THE MEDIA

Ang paglalabas ni Gomez ng screenshots ng mensahe at personal na numero ng mga mamamahayag ang pinag-ugatan ng mungkahi ni House Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno sa media na maghain ng reklamo sa Ethics committee laban kay Gomez.

Sa kanyang privilege speech ngayong Martes, humingi ng paumanhin ang kongresista mula sa Leyte.

Binura na rin ni Gomez sa Facebook page niya ang screenshots na naglagay sa kanya sa sentro ng kontrobersiya.

Pahayag niya: “Thank you for this opportunity to defend myself and clarify some facts.

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NOOD KA MUNA!

“To the members of the press who took offense in my social media post, I sincerely apologize.

“Sensitive information has been removed. I understand the media endeavor to get my side of the story. I acknowledge your efforts.

“I am sorry and I could have handled it better.”

Kasunod nito ay ipinagtanggol ni Gomez ang sarili laban sa diumano’y panlilinlang na ginawa ni Tacoy sa publiko.

“I factually say that none of the completed projects in my district has been damaged except for this one na ongoing at hindi pa tapos.

“And I invite anyone with any doubt about any anomalies in flood control projects in the district I represent to scrutinize the documents and actual projects.

“Moreover, the COA had already inspected this very project. Findings will be available from the DPWH or COA, if ever any verified anomalies surfaced, just in case.

“Well, I would gladly face the issue but until then, I highly recommend, especially to Mayor Tacoy of Mataga-ob, to please exercise caution.”

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GOMEZ ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY

Aminado si Gomez na ang kakulangan ng pananagutan at integridad ng ilang public servants at contractors ang dahilan kung bakit lumalala nang husto ang problema sa baha, pero siguradong hindi naman daw lahat.

Hindi lamang daw sa mga mambabatas na kagaya niya dapat umasa ng pananagutan at integridad kundi sa lahat ng propesyon.

Hindi raw tamang gamiting sandata ang mga pinag-uusapang isyu, gaya ng flood control projects, upang akusahan ang sinuman.

Masusing beripikasyon daw ang kinakailangan upang malaman kung may katotohanan ang mga alegasyon.

Saad ni Gomez: “The lack of accountability and integrity of some public servants and contractors have led to the burgeoning problem of persistent floods, some but not certainly all.

“In fact, accountability and integrity of work must be expected across all professions, not just us lawmakers.

“But we cannot simply weaponize popular issues like this to make baseless accusations on just anybody, on just anyone.

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“And therefore, proper verification of facts must be exercised. This is the only responsible thing to do.”

Tinawag niyang “minsinformation” ang pahayag ni Tacoy laban sa kanya.

“Kaya napakalaking kalokohan ang ginawa ni Mayor Tacoy na paglinlang sa press at sa tao ukol sa ongoing flood control program.

“Dahil sa misinformation na ibinigay niya, nilunok ito ng publiko as gospel truth, sa lahat ng mga interbyu niya na lumabas sa radyo, sa TV.

“Mga kaibigan, mga kasama sa gobyerno, huwag nating payagan na magwagi ang kasinungalingan at maling pagbibigay ng impormasyon,” mahabang paliwanag niya.

GOMEZ ON ISSUE OF ETHICS

Bukod sa isyung kinasasangkutan nila ni Tacoy, nagsalita rin si Congressman Richard Gomez tungkol sa akusasyon ni Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong laban sa congressmen na sangkot sa maanomalyang flood control projects at sa panawagan ni Deputy Speaker Puno na ireklamo siya ng mga mamamahayag sa Ethics Committee.

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benjamin magalong richard gomez word war

Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Congressman Richard Gomez 
Photo/s: Facebook

Pahayag niya: “Then comes the issue of ethics.

“I look up the meaning of ethics online and it says, ‘Ethics is a study of what is morally right and wrong, good and bad, involving systems of moral principles and values. It includes examining our values, principles and purposes to determine how we should live and interact with others, ensuring fairness, respect for rights and the minimization of harm.’

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“This was my contention when I called out Mayor of Baguio City Benjamin Magalong when he was issuing blanket statements implying that all congressman in this house are corrupt.

“By all means Mistah, call out corruption! That is both a responsibility and a moral duty. Tutulungan kita, labanan natin ang korapsyon but one must draw the line when it comes to generalization.

“It is irresponsible to make the fault of one applied to all.

“Baligtarin po natin ang lamesa. Kung merong corrupt na mayor, tama bang sabihin natin na lahat ng mayor ay corrupt din? Of course not! The answer is very elementary.”

Dagdag ni Gomez: “Now, dito sa sarili nating bahay, Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno would fault me for defending myself from baseless attacks and cite the same as an ethical issue?

“I’d been asked about the statements of DS Puno. It is good that he touched on the issue of ethics. I agree, the House should step up and lead by example.

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“In fact, this should have been done a long time ago. Let’s go back to where the small trouble started. Saan ba nagsimula ito? Saan ba ang puno’t dulo nito?

“Anomalous flood control program. Sa budget ng presidente, kinailangan pa niya na mag-veto kasi nga hindi na reflective sa kanyang vision.

“Mabuti na rin na nanggaling kay DS Puno ang isyu ng ethics dahil gusto niyang isalang sa Ethics Committee ang kapwa niya kongresista.

“Mabuti siguro kung balikan natin ang puno’t-dulo nitong buong kontrobersya na hinaharap natin. Itong flood control na inabuso ng iilan pero sinagasaan ang lahat.

“Huwag po nating lahatin. Kung may Ethics Committee man lang, isalang din yung nagkatay ng budget ng ilang taon since 2022.

“Huwag na nating simulan sa 2022. Kung gusto ninyo, kahit nitong 2025 lang. The same standard should apply to all.

“Kung mag-ethics committee man lang, isalang na din yung nagkatay ng budget ng ilang taon since 2022.

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“The same standards should apply to all. No sacred cows.

“You speak of ethics when one rises to defend his name from baseless allegations, all the more ethics should come into play when a whole institution is tarnished over the lack of accountability of some.”