Jamaine Punzalan

Rep. Richard Gomez, September 13, 2022. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout

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CONGRESS-SPORTS

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175671727093820220913-congress-sports-PPAB--10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rep. Richard Gomez, September 13, 2022. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The House Committee on Ethics said Monday it was  “preparing for any complaint” that could result from Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez’s social media post allegedly “insulting” journalists and showing screenshots of their message, including their name and contact number.</p><p>House panel chairperson and 4PS party-list Rep. JC Abalos refrained from issuing remarks on the incident saying it “could compromise the integrity” of the committee’s proceedings once it convenes.</p><p>“We acknowledge the situation, and the Committee on Ethics is preparing for any complaint that may arise,” House panel chairperson Rep. JC Abalos said in a message.</p><p>“Twelve members have already been elected, and I trust that the leadership will complete the roster in due time,” he added.</p><p>Abalos called on House members to “consistently observe proper conduct and decorum”.</p><p>“Beyond the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ethics, we are all equally bound by the laws of the land,” he said.</p><p>Several media practitioners had tried to get Gomez’s side on allegations linking him to a flood control structure that recently collapsed.</p><p>Gomez, in a social media post, accused them of being part of a supposed <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/29/richard-gomez-claims-media-spin-after-reporters-sought-his-side-on-flood-issue-0838">“expensive” media spin</a>. The screenshots of conversations he posted exposed the names and personal contact numbers of these journalists.</p><p>On Friday, two House members said this could be the subject of an ethics complaint.</p><p>House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno encouraged media practitioners to bring the matter before the House ethics panel, while House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Rep. Terry Ridon said journalists have a reason to consider whether there’s a privacy violation involved in Gomez’s action.</p><p>Abalos reminded media practitioners “that remedies such as civil and criminal actions remain available against any member of Congress, and that recourse is not limited to the Committee on Ethics.”</p><p>“These remedies do not preclude the Committee from exercising its jurisdiction and pursuing any investigation that may be warranted,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>UNFOUNDED, RECKLESS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Members of the media covering the House of Representatives collectively denounced on Monday what they called “baseless and spiteful utterances” of Gomez.</p><p>“The Honorable Gomez’s unfounded allegations were made with reckless disregard for the personal safety of the journalists involved and to the studied civility by which members of the Lower House and the House Media have always treated each other,” they said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/30/-media-workers-are-not-the-enemy-photojournalists-speak-out-amid-gomez-s-rant-2356">&#x27;Media workers are not the enemy&#x27;: Photojournalists speak out amid Gomez&#x27;s rant</a></div><p>They asserted that requesting for comment is “part of a journalist’s ethical practice to accord the other party an opportunity to present his side and refute negative comments directed at him”.</p><p>Members of the House media said they “choose courtesy and decorum over animosity”, as they remain open for a statement or clarification from Gomez.</p><p>“Notwithstanding the apparent hostility by which the Honorable Gomez views the members of the House Media, we would rather take the high road if only to avoid acrimony at a time when there are much more pressing matters affecting the nation that require both our attention,” they said.</p><p>“The House Media remains open to accept any relevant statement or clarification the Honorable Gomez might offer as regards the flood control project in Matag-ob, Leyte that was damaged by the recent heavy rains. The same extends to any other legislative concerns he might have in the future,” they added. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/31/some-turn-to-online-lifestyle-checks-amid-frustrations-over-flooding-2247">WRAP: Some turn to online ‘lifestyle checks’ amid frustrations over flooding</a></div><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CtSFQJ7s8JQ" title="9 companies, 28 luxury cars? Jinggoy ginisa si Sarah Discaya | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9A37Da4dK0" title="Mga mambabatas, kinukwestyon kung paano nakalusot sa COA ang &#x27;ghost projects&#x27; | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The House Committee on Ethics said Monday it was “preparing for any complaint” that could result from Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez’s social media post allegedly “insulting” journalists and showing screenshots of their message, including their name and contact number.</p>

The House Committee on Ethics said Monday it was “preparing for any complaint” that could result from Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez’s social media post allegedly “insulting” journalists and showing screenshots of their message, including their name and contact number.

House ethics panel ‘preparing for any complaint’ over Richard Gomez’s rant vs journos

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House ethics panel ‘preparing for any complaint’ over Richard Gomez’s rant vs journos

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 01, 2025 05:04 PM PHT

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