Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez issued a public apology on Tuesday following backlash over a controversial social media post where he criticized journalists seeking his comment on flood control allegations.
“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 plenary session.
“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 lawmaker, who is also a former actor, deleted screenshots from his account that exposed the names, photos, and contact details of reporters who reached out to him regarding claims linking him to a damaged flood control project in Matag-ob, Leyte.
Prior to his apology, Gomez accused the press of engaging in a “media spin” and suggested they had been paid to solicit his side on the issue.
His remarks drew sharp criticism from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), which said Gomez’s post was not only reckless but also posed a potential violation of data privacy laws.
The incident has fueled renewed debate on the relationship between public officials and the press, especially when it comes to accountability and transparency in government projects.