Richard Gomez disqualified

@jules67 (2788)
Philippines
February 17, 2010 2:27am CST
Comelec has disqualified actor, Richard Gomez in his bid for congress in Ormoc City Leyte. He was barred from seeking congressional seat for lack of residency. A former barangay chairman, Juntilla filed for his disqualification stating that the actor lives in Greenhills, San Juan and not in Ormoc, Leyte. The actor however said that he is spending more of his time in Ormoc than in San Juan since March 2007.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
If that's the case then the Comelec should have enough basis for disqualifying him. Richard Gomez should learn from this and start to spend more time in Ormoc. He may have good intentions; although i can see it as his stepping stone to an even higher position; he should play by the rules. Anyway, it's really up to the voters to decide. If they think he is worthy then he wins but that would mean waiting for 3 more years.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Well just like what Comelec had said, he is not an official resident of Ormoc Leyte.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
I think Goma really wants to become a senator and the easiest way to get there is to run for congress. But why choose Ormoc as his residence since everyone knows that he's not from there? Everyone also knows that he works here? Why can't he just choose his birthplace to run for congress? is it because he thought it's easier to win there since he'll be up with a nobody in Ormoc? Well it turned out otherwise and him getting disqualified .
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
You made a good point there. Remember that he ran then for senatorial seat. He can always serve first as councilor or mayor. He should start from below and then rise up to the ranks if he has proven himself as a competent politician.
@rsa101 (37966)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Well I think that Comelec has done this twice like the one in Palawan where this certain Mitra tried running in a certain town where he was not a resident but only frequents that place. He declared that he is even staying in that town but then many claims he only sleeps there once in a while and still resides in Puerto Princesa City. With Richard Gomez he I guess should present something to prove that he really stays there long because he is mostly seen on TV which just means that he is mostly here in Manila than there in Ormoc. I think he only started residing there when he planned on running for Congress.
@rsa101 (37966)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
I think even Pacquiao is being questioned in Comelec because he hasn't really stayed in Sarangani but still stays in General Santos City. I think that is just right for Comelec to enforce this ruling so that those candidates that wants to run for elective seats must also show that they are sincere in trying to serve certain communities and is not just after the government seat.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Only an evidence can prove otherwise. If he really does live now in Ormoc, he can always present any document proving such thing.
1 person likes this
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Well spending time in Ormoc does not justify residency at all. I could be staying in Manila yet my residence is in Cebu right? He should have considered this early and transferred his residence in Ormoc long before and such transfer of residence should be recorded and not just based on words saying about spending more time in Ormoc. The Comelec did the right thing.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
I totally agree with you. That was actually what I had in mind upon hearing this news over the radio. He must have understood it wrongly. Maybe he thought that spending some time in Ormoc qualifies him already to be a candidate. Well, he should know better by now.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
17 Feb 10
even on day that he filed his COC, richard already lost the elections. why did he stated in his COC that he resides in San Juan instead of Ormoc where he intends to run as congressman? and why not run in San Juan instead of Ormoc? I can't believe this happened to him, again. I think this is the 3rd time he runs for an electiive post, now losing again. poor chard.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Well then if that is the case that is really his fault. How can your fun for Ormoc when the address in your COC stated otherwise?
@Bradpete (822)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
May be he did not stay in Ormoc City for the space of 6 months. That's why he was disqualified. But is really eager to serve that place I saw in his eyes in the news.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Perhaps he could serve in some other ways.
@flzabala (42)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
I do not know if you'll agree but not all actors are good politicians, but all politicians are good actors. I think this was his second time to go for public office. I think the era of actors going to politics has ended. I know he wants to serve but he needs to learn more. It's not good looks that makes a politician tick but good words.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
You are right about that. Personally, I am not discounting the capacity of actors and actresses running for office. Like what Dolphy had said before, it is very easy for any actor to win in an election because they are already popular. What they will do in office once elected is what matters. They are not acting anymore, there will no take 2. It is a serious business.
@BART78 (2927)
• Canada
17 Feb 10
poor goma! based what i had read on sheet last nov., his certificate of candidacy states that he is bone fide resident of colagate st., east greenhills, san juan city and has not resided in any fixed place in ormoc!...pity! he rely don't have luck in politics..
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Exactly. What I also know is that he is a resident of San Juan and not Ormoc. Like what the other respondent had said, him spending time in ormoc does not make him a resident of leyte as well.
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Oh wow, I didn't know about this until now...thanks for this nice information jules67...what I can say in this is...POLITICS...you know how dirty politics is...especially when it comes to runnig the election and you wanted to win...there are so many dirty business going on. They all criticize each other's faults...its a dirty game as you can see. They can say whatever they want with the intention of winning. I don't know what to say with Richard Gomez...he is a good actor but I don't know if he can be a good politician....it is yet to find out...but for now he has to prove himself first. Nice topic you started here jules67...happy mylotting.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Well I am not discounting his capacity to serve. But based on what he said that he was spending his time in Ormoc, any educated person you ask will tell you that it will not make you officially a resident of that place.