House panel mulls probe on flood project in Richard Gomez's district

House Infrastructure Committee (InfraComm) Co-chair Representative Terry Ridon said Friday the panel's investigation into flood control and other infrastructure initiatives may include the damaged project in the district of Leyte Representative Richard Gomez.

"Puwede pong masama 'yan, particularly kung nagkaroon po ng collapse dun po sa project po na ito and within 'yung expectation po natin na dapat po tumatagal po 'yung mga proyekto. I think more or less dapat within the span of five years dapat talaga po hindi po nasisira eh. 'Yung mga proyekto pong pang-impraestruktura. So ibig sabihin, if within the five years, baka kailangan po natin silipin po talaga ito," Ridon said in an online interview.

(That project can be included in the probe, particularly if part of the project collapsed within the expected duration that it would last. I think more or less infrastructure projects should not be damaged within a span of five years. So if damage was reported within five years, perhaps we really need to look into it.)

News reports have quoted the mayor of Matag-ob, Leyte as linking Gomez to the project.

Ridon said the House InfraComm may investigate the issue after it receives a report from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

"We'll get the report from DPWH kung kamusta ba yyung nangyari talaga diyan. What is the story behind it? (But) I think that can be a subject of an inquiry," Ridon said.

Ethics issue?

Meanwhile, House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Representative Ronaldo Puno said an ethics complaint can be brought against Gomez over his remarks accusing journalists of being paid hacks.

Gomez has made an online post showing screen grabs of requests for interviews from media, including journalists' names and cellphone numbers, after he was asked to comment on allegations of flood control projects in his district being substandard. 

“Absolutely, I encourage you to bring it before the Ethics Committee here. Hindi na pwede iyong mga gan'un (These things should not continue). I mean, you are asked to explain something, you're a legislator, you explain. Kaya tayo naging legislator dahil tingin ng tao, marunong tayo magpaliwanag (That is why we became legislators because people believe we know how to explain things)," Puno said.

"Napakalinaw na kailangan na maipaliwanag, [tapos] hindi niya gagawin (It's very clear that he needs to explain, yet he didn't). And then if you compound the issue by insulting people. Hindi maganda talaga 'yun (That is not nice). I think the Ethics Committee should be brought into that," Puno added.

Gomez's post

In the midst of the controversy, Gomez took to Facebook on Thursday evening to post screenshots of messages from journalists from different news outlets who were asking for his statement or an interview in connection with the damaged flood control project in Matag-ob town.

"Alam na alam mong merong nagkukumpas. Alam na alam mong ginastusan. Ayus ahhhh. Gastos pa more mga ungas," he added.

(You know there are people who are orchestrating this. You know they have spent money. Spend more, you idiots.)

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Friday called out Gomez over his Facebook post, reminding the lawmaker that the media asking for his side on the issue actually favors him.

"The requests give him a chance to address allegations made by Matag-ob Mayor Bernie Tacoy, who has also criticized him for alleged lack of support during heavy flooding, and making them is part of journalists' jobs," the NUJP said.

Up to the media

When asked about the possible filing of an ethics complaint against Gomez in connection with his online post, Ridon said it is up to the media to decide.

"Kailangan po natin makita kung talaga hong may privacy violation. Pero I think from the look of it, para hong I think the journalists have a reason to actually consider po whether there's a privacy violation done against them. Kasi ang totoo naman ho, 'yun pong mga numero po ng mga tao ay nailabas. Pangalawa, 'yung mga pangalan po nila nailabas. Pangatlo, 'yun pong mensahe po nila ay nailabas," Ridon replied.

(We need to ascertain if there was a privacy violation. But I think from the look of it, I think the journalists have a reason to actually consider whether there was a privacy violation done against them. In truth, people's phone numbers were exposed. Secondly, so were their names. Thirdly, their messages were made public.)

"I guess kung may magco-complain po na mga media personalities, tingin ko naman ho, tatanggapin naman po ng ethics committee po 'yan," he added.

(I guess if media personalities would lodge complaints, the ethics committee would probably accept them.)

GMA News Online has requested comment from Gomez regarding Puno and Ridon's statements regarding the probe and the possible ethics complaint, but he has yet to respond as of posting time. 

A higher standard

Meanwhile, Ridon also gave this reminder to government officials.

"I think government officials, whoever they are, should be able to provide direct response to questions relating to the scope of their work," Ridon said.

Further, Puno reminded his fellow House members to act with respect.

"Legislators, congressmen, senators, you know, we are elected into our positions by people that trust us, express their faith in what we say, express their faith in what we do and what we can do. Our behavior in public is very important to reinforcing that faith and belief that they have in us," Puno said.

"As a public official, you are expected and held to a higher standard than other people. And being held to a higher standard does not just require mag-barong Tagalog ka. I mean, dapat maayos din 'yung 'yung pakikitungo mo sa lahat ng mga nasa paligid mo," he added.

(As a public official, you are expected and held to a higher standard than other people. And being held to a higher standard does not just require that you wear a barong Tagalog. I mean, you should have proper conduct with others around you.)

He said, "People count on us, they look at us, and we want to be good role models. We don't want to be examples of what their children should not become." — VDV, GMA Integrated News