Congressman Gomez Apologizes, Defends Flood Control Project Amid Controversy
In a privileged speech before the House of Representatives, Congressman Richard Gomez (4th District, Leyte) issued a public apology while mounting a vigorous defense against allegations of corruption and substandard work in a flood control project in his district.
The controversy began after a portion of an ongoing flood control wall in Matagob, Leyte, was damaged during recent heavy rains. Mayor Bernie Takoye of Matagob was quoted in media reports blaming the damage on substandard materials and a lack of proper permits and consultation.
Gomez opened his address with an apology, stating, “To the members of the press who took offense in my social media post, I sincerely apologize… I’m sorry and I could have handled it better.” He framed his defense within the context of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent call to crack down on faulty infrastructure projects.
Clarifying the Facts
The congressman systematically addressed the allegations point-by-point:
“Substandard” Project: Gomez clarified that the project is ongoing and unfinished. He explained that a critical structural element, a “lock,” was not yet installed, which made the wall vulnerable to the unexpected water pressure from the heavy rains. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Leyte’s 4th District confirmed this, stating the damage occurred specifically because construction was not complete.
Lack of Consultation and Permits: Gomez countered Mayor Takoye’s claim that the local government was not consulted, calling it “misleading,” as DPWH protocols require coordination. He also stated that building and occupancy permits are not required for flood control structures, but a Certificate of Non-Coverage from the DENR had been secured months before the project began.
Gomez emphasized that all DPWH projects in his district since 2022 have followed strict procedural checklists and that the Commission on Audit (COA) has already inspected the Matagob project. He challenged critics to scrutinize the documents and invited scrutiny, saying, “If ever any verified anomalies surface… I would gladly face the issue.”
A Call for Caution and Ethics
The speech took a broader turn as Gomez criticized what he sees as the weaponization of sensitive issues for political gain. He urged Mayor Takoye to “exercise caution” and called for “proper verification of facts,” arguing that baseless accusations undermine public trust.
He also invoked the concept of ethics, using it to address not only the mayor but also criticism from within Congress. This was a clear reference to Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno, who had previously faulted Gomez for his conduct. Gomez argued that while calling out corruption is a “moral duty,” making blanket generalizations—such as implying all congressmen are corrupt—is irresponsible and unethical.
A Solemn Reminder
Gomez concluded his speech on a somber note, recalling the 1991 Ormoc City flash flood that killed 8,000 people in 45 minutes. He stated that this tragedy is why ensuring the integrity of flood control projects is paramount, vowing that under his watch, all projects are designed to be “above board” to prevent such a disaster from happening again.
The ball now appears to be in the court of critics to present verified evidence, while Gomez has positioned himself as a defender of due process and factual accuracy in public discourse.#
