Former actor and now Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez continues to face backlash for his Facebook post accusing journalists of being part of a paid “media spin” and publishing their names and contact details online—an act condemned as reckless, unethical, and a potential violation of data privacy.
On August 28, Gomez posted screenshots of text and Viber messages from reporters seeking his side on allegations by Matag-ob Mayor Bernie Tacoy over a collapsed flood control project. Instead of responding to the questions, Gomez claimed the queries were evidence of bribery: “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 move backfired, with journalists, press freedom advocates, and fellow lawmakers criticizing Gomez for endangering media workers. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said exposing private information puts journalists at risk of harassment and fraud, while stressing that asking for Gomez’s side “actually favors him” since it gave him a chance to refute allegations.
House Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno also warned that Gomez could face an ethics complaint: “You are asked to explain something, you are a legislator, you explain. Then you compound the issue by insulting people… I think the ethics committee should be brought into that.”
Gomez has since apologized on the House floor, saying: “To the members of the press who took offense in my social media post, I sincerely apologize. Sensitive information has since been removed… I’m sorry, and I could have handled it better.”
During the September 2 episode of ‘Agenda’ on Bilyonaryo News Channel, broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, joined by Pinky Webb and Willard Cheng, praised Gomez for taking accountability.
“He apologized! So, saludo po kami sa inyo Congressman Richard Gomez na nabigla lang daw siya, hindi ba? That is integrity for me, if you can accept that you made a mistake,” Korina said.
She added: “Because kapag sinabi mo, kailangan mapanindigan mo at higit sa lahat, mapatunayan mo.”
Webb agreed, pointing out: “Tama naman, he owned up to the mistake. Pero next time din kasi, kapag humihingi ang media ng komento sa yo, either you say no comment or huwag mo na lang sagutin.”
Korina further emphasized that reporters were only doing their job: “Hinihingi ‘yung panig lang niya, pero ang sabi niya, bayaran daw silang lahat. But I think it’s very important that he owned up to it, and isa siyang tunay na lalaki.”
Observers noted that Korina’s comments also carried an implicit swipe at Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who days earlier questioned the ethics of celebrity journalists conducting paid interviews with controversial contractors. While Sotto did not name anyone, he posted images of interviews by Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao with Sarah and Curlee Discaya—figures now linked to flood control project scandals.
Sotto’s viral post read in part: “They rose to national prominence as broadcast journalists/news personalities; puhunan [dapat] nila ang kanilang reputasyon at kredibilidad… at sa ganitong kalakaran, ito rin ang reputasyon at kredibilidad na pinahihiram nila sa mga corrupt kapalit ng [money emoji].”
The contrast between Sotto’s broader critique of media ethics and Gomez’s combative outburst against reporters has fueled further debate—especially after Gomez himself once shared a post likening his principles to Sotto’s with the caption: “Different person, same principle…”
For critics, however, the comparison now rings hollow.
