Journalists covering the House of Representatives yesterday denounced Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez for calling them “paid hacks” after they sought his comment on allegations linking him to a collapsed flood control project in Matag-ob, Leyte.
“We, members of the media covering the House of Representatives, collectively denounce the baseless and spiteful utterances from Rep. Richard Gomez (4th District, Leyte) imputing impropriety in the actions of a number of our colleagues who tried to get his side on a matter of direct bearing to his office and his constituency,” the reporters said in a joint statement signed by more than a dozen correspondents from print, broadcast and online outlets.
The House media stressed that 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.”
Gomez, who earlier claimed a “media spin” was being funded against him, went as far as posting the contact numbers of reporters who had sought his side on accusations by Matag-ob Mayor Bernie Tacoy.
The mayor had criticized Gomez for allegedly failing to provide support after heavy flooding hit the district when parts of the Barangay Riverside flood control structure collapsed.
The Matag-ob Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office confirmed portions of the structure were destroyed.
In his brief response to reporters last week, Gomez said the damage would be repaired at no cost to government. “Just allow the mayor to ride on this season’s most interesting subject matter. This is what keeps him happy,” he said.
The House reporters said their requests for Gomez’s reaction were “far from being malicious” and part of ethical journalistic practice to give subjects an opportunity to air their side.
“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 attentions. We choose courtesy and decorum over animosity,” they added.
Despite the incident, the reporters said they remain open to any statement or clarification Gomez may wish to provide on the Matag-ob flood control project, or on other legislative issues in the future.
