Richard Gomez Fires Back: “Fix Your City First” – Responds to Mayor’s Corruption Allegations in Flood Control Projects

Published: August 25, 2025

Introduction

Congressman Richard Gomez of Leyte’s 4th District has made headlines after issuing a bold public statement in response to corruption allegations targeting Congress—specifically involving flood control projects. While Gomez did not mention any names, many netizens and political observers interpreted the statement as a direct “parinig” or veiled message to a sitting mayor, widely believed to be Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

The statement, made through Gomez’s official Facebook page and subsequently picked up by major media outlets, has intensified public interest in the alleged misuse of billions in infrastructure funds, and raised questions about the balance between transparency and political posturing.

Background: The Flood Control Controversy

The controversy stems from a national probe into corruption in flood control infrastructure. It’s been reported that up to ₱2 trillion may have been misused across 15 years of project implementation. These include ghost projects, overpriced contracts, and alleged collusion among contractors and public officials.

Amid this, several mayors—including Mayor Magalong—have raised public concern, calling for a full audit and public release of project documents, claiming some localities were being “used as fronts” for funding allocations that never materialized on the ground.

Richard Gomez’s Statement: A Strong Rebuke

In a lengthy social media post, Gomez addressed the public accusations:

“Why is this mayor making so much noise? If there is an issue with a congressman, take it up directly with that person. Don’t generalize and drag the entire institution into your self-serving statements.”

He continued:

“Your own city is riddled with problems—poor air quality, unmanaged waste, illegal structures, and disorganized traffic. Fix those first before casting stones. Mahiya ka naman.”

Though no name was mentioned, the strong language and references to a mountain city with such issues clearly pointed toward Baguio City.

The Mayor’s Camp: No Direct Response Yet

As of this writing, Mayor Magalong has not responded directly to Gomez’s remarks. However, he has maintained his stance that transparency and accountability in congressional funding—especially regarding national projects executed at the local level—must be non-negotiable.

In earlier statements, the mayor emphasized that his calls for transparency were not political, but anchored in public service and good governance. He remains one of the leading voices in the Mayors for Good Governance initiative, which pushes for reforms in the implementation of national infrastructure spending.

Public Reactions: Split but Heated

The online community has reacted strongly to Gomez’s statement:

Supporters of Gomez praised him for standing up for Congress, noting that public trust in the legislative body is often undermined by generalizations.
Others criticized his approach as defensive and dismissive of legitimate concerns raised by local officials about the national budget and public accountability.

Comments online reflect the divide:

“Gomez is right—don’t lump everyone together just to gain clout.”
“Why so sensitive if there’s nothing to hide?”
“This is just a distraction from the real issue: where did the money go?”

Bigger Picture: Corruption Probes Intensify

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the Commission on Audit (COA), and even President Marcos himself are now involved in exposing anomalies in flood control projects. Some key developments include:

Reports of ghost flood control projects, including a ₱55 million river wall in Bulacan that exists only on paper.
Allegations that 20% of a ₱545 billion budget went to just 15 contractors, raising red flags on procurement integrity.
Proposals to blacklist contractors and audit all flood control allocations from the past three years.

This creates a tense environment, where both national and local officials are caught between cleaning up systemic corruption and defending their own reputations.

Analysis: Clash of Accountability and Ego?

At its core, the exchange between Gomez and the unnamed mayor reflects a deeper struggle in Philippine governance: the balance between local whistleblowing and national pride. As politicians face rising pressure to show transparency, there is also growing resentment when criticisms are seen as political attacks rather than constructive oversight.

Gomez’s message may be seen by some as deflection—but by others, as a necessary defense of institutional integrity. Meanwhile, mayors calling for audits assert that local communities deserve to know where public funds are going.

Conclusion: Accountability Begins at Every Level

As corruption allegations surrounding flood control projects dominate headlines, one thing is clear: accountability doesn’t only begin in Congress, and it doesn’t end in city halls either. What the Filipino public needs is cooperation—not infighting—among their leaders.

Whether Richard Gomez’s remarks spark deeper introspection or escalate political tension remains to be seen. But what’s undeniable is the growing demand from citizens for truth, transparency, and tangible outcomes from billion-peso government projects.

Related Articles (For Further Reading)

Mayors Demand Transparency in Flood Control Projects as Corruption Claims Rise
President Marcos Orders Audit of ₱350B in Flood Control Funding After Ghost Projects Revealed
20% of Major Infrastructure Budget Went to 15 Firms: Senate Questions Procurement Practices
Gomez to Mayor: Stop Using Congress as a Scapegoat for Your Local Failures
When Local Governance Meets National Spending: Who’s Really Accountable?