Gomez says detractors “building up lies”

RICHARD GOMEZ, who is seeking the congressional seat at the 4th district of Leyte which includes Ormoc City, has twitted his opponents saying “they are building up a history of lies” by spreading the lie that he has been disqualified by Comelec.
Gomez said this was released in an administration newspaper, where Winnie’s brother was quoted as saying Comelec has already disqualified him.
Gomez said that the Comelec has yet to hand down its verdict, saying “maghintay na lang tayo” as Comelec is expected resolve early all disqualification cases filed all over the country, to finalize the printing of ballots.
He said that his opponents might have read a book on political strategies that suggests that if the opponent is doing well, to destroy him at all costs. This, he said, includes “building up a history of lies”.  “If they can do this to the people, what more can they do?”, he posed.
This, he said, is because he leads by a large margin over his opponent Winnie Codilla on various surveys.  “Even at their own surveys, that is why they want me out before election because they are not sure of winning”. That’s why, he added, they are “preempting the Comelec decision”.
He also pooh-poohed the issue on his Community Tax Certificate being obtained by a “bodyguard”, saying it was not even an issue raised against him in the disqualification case filed by Buenaventura Juntilla, a former village chairman of Libertad and known to be a close friend of Winnie Codilla, his opponent for the congressional seat.He pointed out that even the CTC issue has proven to be a web of lies, with the name of one Peter Ablen being dragged as the one who got his CTC. Peter Ablen, a hotel chef, has surfaced and has denied he is connected in any way to Gomez.
Chef Ablen said he was at the barangay hall of Canadieng on the date when Gomez’s alleged bodyguard got the CTC, but he was there for another purpose. While Ablen said that he does not want to make any enemies, he just wanted to clear his name, saying he did not like his brush with fame.
The cook said he was getting exasperated of friends coming up to him, or calling him up, asking how he became Gomez’s “bodyguard”.
Gomez said that he deduces that his opponents want to condition the minds of the public for an apparent attack of “black propaganda”. In fact, he said, his people are telling him that key Codilla supporters are showing around “papers” said to be the Comelec resolution, but does not allow them to take a close look at it.
He said that his detractors have been painting him black, including rumors that President Joseph Estrada dislikes him and has ordered local allies to do all what it takes to defeat him.
Mayor JV Ejercito, son of ex-Pres. Estrada, laughed off the matter as “black propaganda”. “Black propaganda lang ‘yan, pare”, he told Gomez on the cellphone which was put on loudspeaker for this writer to hear. He also gave the assurance that he will let his father straighten out the issue, if he must.
Gomez said that he was even with the Estradas last December 26, to attend JV Ejercito’s birthday. Gomez added that while he is running under Noynoy Aquino, it does not mean they’re not friends with the Estradas anymore. “We’re good friends, and will remain good friends”, he said.
Gomez has also raised the possibility that he would file a case of perjury against the incumbent barangay captain of Canadieng, where his registered domicile at Carlota Hills is located.
He said that barangay captain Feliciano Pilapil has issued an affidavit denying him as a resident of Canadieng, recanting on a previous certification in his favor that he was a bonafide resident of Canadieng.
He said that while he understands that the second affidavit might have been issued out of duress, he said that public officials should realize that perjury is a serious issue and that they cannot just recant their statements.
Actually, he added, the recommendation to file a case against the barangay chairman comes from the Codilla camp itself and he said, “I am taking their recommendation to file a case”.
Gomez also added he might also include the barangay treasurer, who’ve imputed to him as the “RG” who’s been sending her threatening text messages and Edwin Codilla, younger brother of his opponent Winnie and who is their camp’s spokesperson.  Gomez said “how can I threaten people, when I don’t even have goons?”.
He said he also plans to file a case of libel against Edwin Codilla, the writer of news articles and key newspaper officials where his opponent’s brother has been quoted as saying that he was already disqualified. His lawyers in Manila, on the other hand, are reportedly preparing to file subjudice against Codilla for alleged pronouncements preempting the Comelec decision.
Gomez also challenged the Codillas to “fight fair and square”. “Mag-election tayo”, he said, “let us not deprive people of a choice”.
“Let’s compare our accomplishments”, said Gomez, as he took a potshot at his opponent Winnie. “I’ve seen his calendar and it states “chief of staff” sa daddy niya”. “Do you know that Joker Arroyo’s chief of staff is his driver?”, he added, saying that being “chief of staff” of a congressman is “no big deal”.
Gomez takes pride in being a multi-awarded actor and an accomplished athlete who’s still raking in trophies in various sports events he joins. He has also been named Most Outstanding Student of UP while still studying.
“I’ve been challenging him to a debate”, he said, “let’s talk about issues in a neutral ground like EVSU, like the church, in front of people…because that is what Congress is all about”.
He said he and Winnie should tell the people what their stand is on important issues like drugs, unemployment, the beer monopoly at the plaza, the cementing of already cemented roads, etcetera.
“Sa Congress, importante ang debate. We have to show the people that you can debate on issues important to the country”, he ended the interview.  By Lalaine M. Jimenea

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