Wazzup Pilipinas!?
A torrent of interview requests from major news outlets has inundated Congressman Richard Gomez, signaling a high-stakes political conflict. At the heart of the matter is a damaged flood control project in Matag-ob, Leyte, and a war of words with Mayor Bernie Tacoy. While journalists seek to air both sides of the story, the congressman sees a more sinister motive at play: a coordinated and well-funded "media spin" orchestrated against him.
The messages pouring in from a range of media giants—including Inquirer, One News, TV5, GMA DZBB, Bilyonaryo News Channel, DWIZ 882-AM, and Aliw Channel 23—all strike a strikingly similar note. They report on the recent collapse of a flood control structure, linking it directly to Congressman Gomez and his alleged "lack of support" or "lack of coordination" with the local government. The requests are polite, professional, and consistent in their framing: they are simply looking for the congressman's side of the story.
However, the sheer volume and near-simultaneous nature of these requests have led Gomez to a different conclusion. His private statements reveal a deep suspicion that the media frenzy is not a genuine, organic response to a news event. Instead, he alleges that someone is "pulling the strings" (nagkukumpas) and that the campaign is financially supported (ginastusan). He dismisses the barrage of inquiries as an expensive public relations tactic designed to malign him.
The congressman's public-facing response to the Inquirer journalist, Gabriel Lalu, also provides a key insight into his defense. He denies responsibility for coordinating with local officials on such projects, stating that this is the role of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and contractors. This statement outlines his official position and serves as a direct rebuttal to the mayor's claims, which suggests he is ready to take a public stand on the issue.
The situation in Leyte has thus escalated from a local infrastructure concern to a full-blown political spectacle. The media, serving as a battleground, is caught between a mayor's accusations and a congressman's counter-claims of a coordinated disinformation campaign. Whether this is an authentic news story or a manufactured political attack, the controversy ensures that the Matag-ob flood project will remain in the public eye.
Professional Opinion: The Reaction and Its Implications
Congressman Richard Gomez's reaction, as expressed in his private statements, is a classic example of a public figure dealing with what he perceives as a crisis communication challenge. Instead of viewing the media requests as a standard part of a journalist's job—to get both sides of a story—he has interpreted them as a hostile and coordinated effort. His choice of words like "media spin," "pulling the strings," and "gastos pa more mga ungas" reveals a mindset of a political operative under attack.
His strategy appears to be a two-pronged approach:
Public Rebuttal: By responding directly to the Inquirer journalist and clarifying the chain of command for infrastructure projects (DPWH and contractors, not congressmen), he is crafting a concise and factual defense that can be used publicly. This is a sound strategic move, as it pivots the conversation away from his personal culpability and towards the official government process.
Private Accusation: His private comments about the campaign being "ginastusan" show his internal assessment of the situation. He is not just a subject of a news story; he believes he is a target of a well-resourced campaign. This belief influences his public response, likely making him more cautious and less willing to engage in live, unscripted interviews where he might be ambushed.
Gomez's reaction is professionally astute. By questioning the motives behind the media requests, he is subtly attempting to undermine the credibility of the narrative being pushed by Mayor Tacoy and, in his view, the media outlets reporting on it. In a political landscape often defined by public opinion, shifting the focus from "what happened with the flood project?" to "who is funding this attack against me?" can be a very effective defensive tactic.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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