Richard Gomez faces DQ raps for alleged election law violation

Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez. FILE PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY — Two disqualification cases were filed against actor-turned-politician Richard Gomez before the Commission on Elections on Wednesday, May 7.

In one complaint, Gomez, congressman of Leyte’s fourth district, was accused by Matag-ob town councilor Jose Yap of calling rival Vicente Veloso a “drug protector” during a campaign rally in Barangay Tabunok, Palompon on April 4.

Yap said the remark constitutes a violation of Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits false accusations or character attacks against opponents during the campaign period.

The second petition pertains to an alleged premature campaign activity held on Jan. 12 in Matag-ob, which is part of Gomez’ fourth congressional district.

According to Yap, the event, conducted before the official start of the local campaign period on March 28, was attended by supporters in blue uniforms—a color associated with Gomez—and armed men.

He alleged that the rally was meant to solicit votes ahead of schedule and that armed personnel were used to intimidate municipal employees into participating.

“It created an atmosphere of intimidation, preventing even the officers of the local government unit from stopping the unlawful assembly or pacifying the unruly crowd,” Yap wrote in his complaint.

He argued that these incidents violated Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code which prohibits premature campaigning and Section 261 which outlaws the use of force, intimidation, or threats during elections.

Gomez has yet to comment on the disqualification petitions filed against him./mcm