Manila, Philippines — Inalmahan ng mga mamamahayag ng Malaking Kapulungan ng Kongreso ang naging aksyon ni Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez matapos niyang ilantad sa Facebook post ang pangalan at contact details ng mga reporter na humihingi sa kaniya ng reaksyon nang madawit ang kaniyang pangalan sa isang gumuhong flood control project sa kaniyang distrito nitong mga nagdaang araw ng malakas na pag-ulan.
Sa pahayag ng House Media, sinabi nito: “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.”
Ito ay matapos iugnay ni Matag-ob, Leyte Mayor Bernie Tacoy ang kongresista sa isang gumuhong flood control structure sa naturang lugar.
Ngunit sa halip na sumagot o makipagpanayam, itinuring ni Gomez na “media spin” ang aniya’y magkakatulad na tanong o request ng mga reporter, dahilan upang ilantad niya ang kanilang mga pangalan at contact details.
“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.”
Hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay nananatiling naka-post sa Facebook account ng mambabatas ang: “Mahal din itong media spin na ginagawa nila against me. Look at the similarities of the different socmed and agencies asking questions. Alam na alam mong merong nagkukumpas. Alam na alam mong ginastusan. Ayus ahhh. Gastos pa more mga ungas.”
“The requests for reactions from the gentleman from Leyte, far from being malicious, were 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/her if there be any,” tugon ng House media.
“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.”
“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,” ayon pa sa kanila.
Ang naging aksyon ni Gomez ay umani rin ng iba’t ibang reaksyon mula sa mga organisasyon ng mga mamamahayag sa bansa. (Meliza Maluntag)
