Richard Gomez unfazed by Leyte rivals getting ready for 2025 polls

Rep. Richard I. Gomez is not fazed by the reported plan of former Associate Justice Vicente “Ching” Veloso III to join the congressional race in the fourth district of Leyte in the 2025 midterm elections.
Gomez, the current congressman of the fourth district, said he is busy serving and protecting the people of Leyte and would not be distracted from his responsibility to ensure the welfare of his constituents.
“I have been opposing the illegal activities of local executives in the different municipalities of my district. That is not a crime. That is my obligation to the people of the fourth district of Leyte who elected me,” he said in a statement.
“It is my duty to protect them from the callous and nefarious deeds of political leaders who are more interested in pushing their personal interests rather than the interests of their people,” Gomez said.
He also said: “Why should I seek alliance with lawbreakers just because they hold the position of mayor? With that title comes responsibility and accountability. I do not serve the mayors and their selfish, illegal interests.”
“My duty is to uphold the common good. I will not turn a blind eye on their illegal activities in return for their allegiance. I have the people and the law behind me. I will stand for what is right,” the former actor and athlete said.
“These mayors whom I have held publicly accountable for their misdeeds, instead of manning up to their crimes, have instead opted to play politics and ran to the neighboring district to find an ally to shield them from their unlawful acts and champion their questionable causes. I will not allow that and I will not be daunted,” Gomez stressed.
He noted that rampant killings have been reported in the neighboring third district of Leyte.
Last February, the Philippine Army joined the police in intensifying anti-criminality operations in Leyte’s third congressional district following the killing of four village officials.
During the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, two towns in the third district were classified as areas of concern, or under “yellow” category by the Regional Joint Security Control Center, due to the spate of shootings there.
“I will not be put down by legal bluffs and political mudslinging. I have and will continue to protect my constituents from the unlawful ways of pseudo public servants. I will not allow the fourth district of Leyte to be a criminal bedrock,” Gomez said.