Marilyn Cahatol

Representative Richard Gomez attends the House Committee on Sports and Youth Development on September 13, 2022 to approve House Bills 821 and 4513 or the "Anti Game-fixiing Act," which seek to prohibit the crime of game fixing and provide stiffer penalties. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout

Article (news)

CONGRESS-SPORTS

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA —  Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez on Tuesday apologized for including the names and contact information of journalists in a social media post where he accused them of “<a class="fr-green fr-strong" 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">media spin</a>” after they sought his side on accusations about flood control projects in his district.</p><p>“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 his privilege speech at the House plenary session.</p><p>He said he had removed the &quot;sensitive information&quot; from his post. </p><p>&quot;I understand that the media endeavored to get my side of the story... I could have handled it better,” Gomez said.</p><p>The post initially contained screenshots of messages from various journalists asking for interviews or his comment after Matag-ob, Leyte Mayor Bernie Tacoy alleged that Gomez gave “limited support” to the local government in relation to flooding.</p><p>The House Committee on Ethics has since <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/1/house-ethics-panel-preparing-for-any-complaint-over-richard-gomez-s-rant-vs-journos-1704">said </a>it was preparing for any complaint that could come from Gomez’s post.</p><p>A statement signed by various members of the media covering the House of Representatives also condemned Gomez’s post, saying he made “baseless and spiteful utterances.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" 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><div><br/></div><div><strong>GOMEZ SLAMS MATAG-OB MAYOR</strong></div><div> </div><p>Gomez also denied accusations by Matag-ob Mayor Bernie Tacoy, who claimed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) failed to coordinate with the local government for three years regarding the project. </p><p>Tacoy also alleged the use of substandard materials, which he said caused the structure to collapse after heavy rains.</p><p>“Now while fixing our flood issue needs to be top priority for government today, Mayor Bernie Tacoy of Matag-ob, Leyte exploits this viral topic by sensationalizing false information to the media,” Gomez said.</p><p>Gomez said officials from DPWH’s 4th District in Leyte clarified that the flood control project is still ongoing and that its walls, without a lock, could not yet hold against water pressure.</p><p>“Hindi pa po tapos. Nagsimula ang proyekto in February of this year and matatapos pa lang sa Nobyembre. Kakatapos pa lang po ng kalagitnaan ng paggawa ng flood control na yan,” Gomez said.</p><p>He denied Tacoy’s allegations that no consultation with the local government took place.</p><p>“In January 16, ayan may coordination meeting sila… he complained with an exchange with local press that the DPWH did not get a building permit. Now we asked the DPWH and they said that the building permit… is required for buildings only. Pero hindi po ito building,” Gomez said.</p><p>He added that occupancy permits are unnecessary for flood control structures as they are not residential.</p><p>“I highly recommend, especially to Mayor Tacoy of Matag-ob to please exercise caution… we cannot simply weaponize popular issues like this to make baseless accusations on just anybody, on just anyone,” he said.</p><p>“Napakalaking kalokohan ang ginawa ni Mayor Tacoy na paglinlang sa press at sa tao ukol sa ongoing flood control program. Dahil sa misinformation na binigay niya, nilunok ito ng publiko as gospel truth,” Gomez added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6qdQkef6z0w?si=KR6V0WX3RXwFxggQ" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The photos showing journalists' names and contact information are no longer in Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez’s post alleging there is a “media spin” against him after accusations emerged about flood control projects in his district.</p>

The photos showing journalists' names and contact information are no longer in Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez’s post alleging there is a “media spin” against him after accusations emerged about flood control projects in his district.

Richard Gomez apologizes to journalists after including their personal info in online post

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Richard Gomez apologizes to journalists after including their personal info in online post

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 02, 2025 03:20 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 02, 2025 05:43 PM PHT

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Richard Gomez

Goma

journalist

House of Representatives

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