Leyte Congressman Urges Mayor to Address Local Problems Before Tackling Corruption Allegations

Strategic Insights -

In a heated exchange between Leyte Congressman Richard Gomez and a local mayor, who was accused of corruption by Gomez, the congressman questioned the mayor's motives, saying the mayor is using corruption allegations as an excuse to hide his own shortcomings in addressing local problems. Gomez cited numerous issues plaguing the city, including poor air quality, inadequate public transportation, and waste disposal problems. Instead of pointing fingers at lawmakers, Gomez urged the mayor to focus on fixing these problems before making accusations against others.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leyte Congressman Richard Gomez accused a local mayor of using corruption allegations as a smokescreen to hide his own shortcomings in addressing local problems.
  • Gomez listed several issues plaguing the city, including poor air quality, inadequate public transportation, and waste disposal problems.
  • The congressman urged the mayor to focus on fixing these problems before making accusations against lawmakers.
  • Gomez used a cryptic Facebook post to express his frustrations, saying the mayor is throwing accusations of corruption at lawmakers to distract from his own failings.
  • The mayor, who was not named, has been accused of corruption in the past by other officials, including a claim that lawmakers receive 35 to 40 percent of the contract price for infrastructure projects.
  • Gomez also criticized the mayor's focus on corruption allegations, saying he should be addressing the city's problems instead of pointing fingers at others.
  • The exchange highlights a growing concern over corruption in government, particularly in the handling of infrastructure projects and aid programs.

Statistics:

  • According to Magalong, contractors and sources told him that lawmakers get as much as 35 to 40 percent of a project's contract price, averaging 30 percent.
  • Magalong claimed that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was distributing funds to lawmakers who accompany him on official trips, which could balloon to P84 million if a lawmaker attended four sorties.
  • About P21 million was allegedly being distributed by Romualdez's office to lawmakers on such trips.

Sources:

  • "Leyte congressman tells mayor: Fix your own house before pointing fingers at others" by Rhay Inocencio (INQUIRER.net, August 4, 2022)
  • "Ridon tells Magalong: Present proof that lawmakers get kickbacks" by Marlon Ramos (INQUIRER.net, August 1, 2022)
  • "Puno believes Magalong has evidence ready to back fund misuse claims" by Ina Reformina (INQUIRER.net, July 31, 2022)
  • "Baguio solon refutes mayor's claim on gov't aid programs" by Trish Ulcano (INQUIRER.net, January 25, 2025)