Richard Gomez apologizes to journalists, removes screenshots in viral post

Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez apologized on Tuesday for his post criticizing journalists for asking his side amid allegations made against him on the flood control issue.

“To the members of the press who took offense in my social media post, I sincerely apologize. Sensitive information has been removed,” Gomez said during the House of Representatives plenary.

“I understand that the media endeavor to keep my side of the story. I acknowledge your efforts. I’m sorry, and I could have handled it better,” he added.

The actor-turned-politician has removed the screenshots showing the names, photos, and contact details of journalists who sought his comments on the allegations linking the lawmaker to the damaged flood control project in the town of Matag-ob in his province.

Gomez had called journalists’ efforts part of a “media spin” and alleged that they were paid to get his comment on the issue.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called out Gomez’s remarks and reminded him that he had potentially violated data privacy.

Under construction

Gomez explained that the damaged flood control project in Matag-ob is still under construction, and it was damaged because an element that withstands water pressure is still missing.

“Malakas ang ulan, bumaha sa Matag-ob dahil ang Matag-ob napapaligiran ng dam at 'yan naging catch basin ng distrito namin, and again yun ang nag cause ng pagsira ng flood control kasi nga hindi pa tapos, hindi pa completed ang project,” the lawmaker said in response to the allegation against him.

(Matag-ob was flooded because of a downpour. The town is surrounded by dams, and it is the catch basin of our district. The flood control project was damaged because it was still not yet completed.)

He also refuted claims that the Matag-ob local government was not consulted regarding the project, saying that there was a coordination meeting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on January 16.

Gomez added that a flood control project does not need an occupancy permit but instead a certificate of non-coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which the DPWH secured in September 2024.

He also invited the public to scrutinize the completed flood control projects in his district.

“If ever any verified anomaly surfaces, just in case, well, I would gladly face the issue. But until then, I highly recommend [Matag-ob Mayor Bernie Tacoy] to practice caution,” Gomez said.

Tacoy earlier said the municipal council would pass a resolution to investigate if the flood control projects in their town followed the project’s program of works. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF/VBL, GMA Integrated News