Team DailyPedia
Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez drew criticism from journalists’ groups and fellow lawmakers after accusing reporters of engaging in a paid “media spin” and posting their personal contact details on Facebook.
Reporters had reached out to Gomez for his side on allegations made by Matag-ob, Leyte Mayor Bernie Tacoy, who earlier said that the lawmaker provided limited support to their locality after a flood control structure collapsed.
Instead of responding, Gomez published screenshots of text and Viber messages from journalists inviting him to issue a statement or appear on their programs. The post, which was uploaded on August 28, showed reporters’ names and phone numbers. Gomez later turned off the comments section.
“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,” Gomez wrote.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the lawmaker’s action, stressing that seeking comment is a basic part of news work.
“Apart from the allegations that colleagues were paid as part of supposed ‘media spin,’ Gomez posted screenshots with media workers’ names and numbers, a potential violation of data privacy and an action that puts them at risk of harassment and fraud,” NUJP said in a statement on August 29.
“We remind Gomez that media asking for his side on the matter actually favors him. The requests give him a chance to address allegations made by Matag-ob Mayor Bernie Tacoy… and making them is part of journalists’ jobs,” the group added.
NUJP also pointed out that if Gomez preferred not to comment, he could have simply declined. “A simple ‘no comment’ or lack of response would have sent that message without imputing malice or exposing our colleagues’ private information,” it said.
House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno likewise said Gomez’s actions could warrant an ethics case.
“Yeah absolutely, absolutely. I encourage you to bring it before the ethics committee here. Hindi naman pwede yung mga ganun,” Puno said in a press conference.
“You are asked to explain something, you are a legislator, you explain. Kaya tayo naging legislator dahil ang tingin ng tao marunong tayong magpaliwanag… And then you compound the issue by insulting people, hindi maganda talaga ‘yun,” he added.
The controversy comes as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered lifestyle checks on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and contractors, amid allegations of corruption in flood control projects across the country.
