A Matag-ob, Leyte councilor has filed a complaint and two disqualification petitions against Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez over multiple alleged Omnibus Election Code violations on Wednesday, May 7.
In his complaint, Councilor Jose Yap recounted that the re-electionist congressman accused fellow aspirant Justice Ching Veloso of being a “drug protector” during a campaign rally held in Barangay Tabunok on April 4, as reported by RH 29 Boy Gonzales.
Yap asserted that Gomez’s statement was character assassination and breached Section 261 of the election code.
The second disqualification case was lodged in connection with an incident on January 12, wherein Gomez employed uniformed men, equipped with full tactical gear and carrying firearms, for a campaign rally in Matag-Ob.
Yap argued that the presence of armed men was meant to intimidate and pressure voters and town officials into taking part in the activity—an act that violates both Sections 261 and 80 of the election code.
In March, Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate also filed a disqualification petition against Gomez for allegedly spreading misinformation. Gomez had reportedly shared accusatory Facebook posts claiming that a “massive election cheating” was to come in May.
