Leyte Congressman Richard Gomez’s recent statement regarding the publication of COA (Commission on Audit) reports has drawn criticism from several online users.
During the House of Representatives budget hearing for the Office of Ombudsman on Monday, September 11, Gomez suggested that the COA should exclusively release its final reports to prevent public officials from being harmed by potentially malicious reports.
Gomez expressed, “Sana COA will only publish its final report….Sa ganun wala nang masyadong masaktan. Ang problema pag andyan na yung observation memo, nagexit conference na, at ipublish ito dyan na dumarating yung mga kalaban mo sa pulitika..sasabihin ito yung mga maling ginawa nitong opisyal na to. And it appears to the public eye na mali talaga yung ginawa mo.”
Last year, during Gomez’s tenure as mayor of Ormoc City, COA raised concerns about missing donations. Gomez clarified that it was merely a COA observation, and no adverse or negative findings were included in the final audit report.
However, many enraged netizens disagreed with Gomez’s stance, arguing that government officials should be responsible and transparent in all their dealings. In a tweet, Ben Bernabe criticized Gomez for seemingly seeking special treatment for COA to protect his feelings. Bernabe offered the actor-politician two options: either improve his performance on the job or exit politics.
“Kung ayaw mong masaktan Goma, you have two options: 1. Ayusin mo ang trabaho mo. 2. Wag kang magpolitika. COA pa talaga mag-aadjust? Ano ka, special? Magsama kayo ni Inday Sara. Dun kayo sa far away!”
Kung ayaw mong masaktan Goma, you have two options:
1. Ayusin mo ang trabaho mo.
2. Wag kang magpolitika.COA pa talaga mag-aadjust? Ano ka, special? Magsama kayo ni Inday Sara. Dun kayo sa far away! https://t.co/Rwp5P2jQWi
— Ben Bernabe (@yogawithben) September 12, 2023
Environmental advocate and former Senate candidate David D’Angelo also tweeted, suggesting that the COA should remind public officials to adhere to government rules and regulations.
“That’s why the public official should adhere to all the rules and regulations of the COA. Hindi ba yun naman ang dahilan bakit may COA, to make it a deterrent against corruption in government.”
That's why the public official should adhere to all the rules and regulations of the COA. Hindi ba yun naman ang dahilan bakit may COA, to make it a deterrent against corruption in government.
— 🌱 David D'Angelo 🌱 KALIKASAN MUNA NGAYON NA! (@daviddangeloph) September 12, 2023
@plantlex condemned Gomez for his remarks about “hurt feelings,” arguing that he should never have pursued a career in public office. Similarly, @noelledeg believed that politicians with thin skin should never have entered public office in the first place.
“Ano daw ? You are spending funds derived from the hard-earned money of the people, tapos masaksaktan ka? Better for you not to run in government office. You are rendering lip service to your constituents.”
Ano daw ? You are spending funds derived from the hard-earned money of the people, tapos masaksaktan ka? Better for you not to run in government office. You are rendering lip service to your constituents.
— TheRealCoffeeLover (@plantlex) September 12, 2023
Same with @noelledeg who said that onion skinned politician shoudn’t hold public office in the first place.
“Masaktan na ang dapat masaktan ng katotohanan. Kung balat sibuyas ka huwag ka maging public official.”
Masaktan na ang dapat masaktan ng katotohanan. Kung balat sibuyas ka huwag ka maging public official.
— ✨️Solgen Heussaff✨️ (@noelledeg) September 12, 2023
@mikhaelRN1 on the other hand commented, “Only Corrupt Officials are Afraid of TRANSPARENCY.”
Only Corrupt Officials are Afraid of TRANSPARENCY.
— Mikha'El (@MikhaelRN1) September 11, 2023
Netizen @colleen_fs also shared her sentiments asking,”Dahil ayaw masaktan ang dapat ma-audit na head of gov agencies, okay lang sa kanila na masaktan ang milyong taxpayers and beneficiaries pag nanakawan ng funds?”
Dahil ayaw masaktan ang dapat ma-audit na head of gov agencies, okay lang sa kanila na masaktan ang milyong taxpayers and beneficiaries pag nanakawan ng funds.
— Colleen (@Colleen_FS) September 11, 2023
“Dapat lang masaktan pag may ginawang kalokohan. Kung wala naman bakit kakabahan? Baluktot na katwiran ng mga may kaugnayan sa katiwalian,” @papathon_kessel expressed.
Dapat lang masaktan pag may ginawang kalokohan. Kung wala naman bakit kakabahan? Baluktot na katwiran ng mga may kaugnayan sa katiwalian.
— papathOn (@papathOn_kessel) September 12, 2023
@acelabadilla, on the other hand, sarcastically commented, “Hiyang hiya naman kaming mga taxpayers sa feelings nyo! Leche!”
Hiyang hiya naman kaming mga taxpayers sa feelings nyo! Leche! 🙄
— 💖 (@Acelabanilla) September 12, 2023
“ang sensitive ng mga politicians noh pero insensitive sa situations ng mga mamamayan,” said @akosimang_tomas.
ang sensitive ng mga politicians noh pero insensitive sa situations ng mga mamamayan
— Mang Tomas (@AkosiMang_Tomas) September 12, 2023
@princessnanie23 labeled Gomez as a “trapo” (traditional politician), emphasizing that a public official wouldn’t be hurt if they weren’t engaged in any illegal activities.
“Bkt ka masasaktan kung wala ka naman maling ginawa? Kow! Lakas maka-epal nito. Trapo masyado”
Bkt ka masasaktan kung wala ka naman maling ginawa? Kow! Lakas maka-epal nito. Trapo masyado
— Princess Nanie (@PrincessNanie23) September 12, 2023
