Richard Gomez reacts on alleged involvement in Espinosa drug group

Jeff  Fernando

<img src='' alt='111016-RichardGomez2_PUSH.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>'Huwag nila ako idamay sa circus nila.'<o:p></o:p>Ito ang naging pahayag ng aktor at ngayon ay Ormoc Citymayor na si Richard Gomez matapos madawit ang kanyang pangalan at ibapa sa patuloy na investigation ng Criminalinvestigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 8 nanamuno sa raid ng selda ni Abuera, Leyte mayor RolandoEspinosa Sr. kung saan ito ay napatay.<o:p></o:p>Sa patuloy na imbestigasyon ng CIDG at ng Senate Committeeon Public Order and Dangerous Drugs at Justice and Human Rights ngayongAraw (November 10) hayagang pinangalanan at isinangkot ni Chiefinspector Leo Laraga ang mga high-ranking government officials saLeyte na kabilang diumano sa drug group ni Espinosa, atkabilang si Goma sa mga umano’y dawit at protector ng mgataong involved sa ilegal na droga sa bayan ng Leyte.<o:p></o:p>Samantala dumepensa naman si Mayor Richard Gomez sa issue sapamamagitan ng maikling text message na ipinadala niya sa <a href='/admin/Push.com.ph'>Push.com.ph</a>. <o:p></o:p>'That is ridiculous and outright laughable. I will noteven dignify that with an answer. Huwag nila ako isama sa circusnila.' <o:p></o:p>Sa ngayon hangad ni Goma ang tama at malinis na proseso ng pagiimbistiga sa kaso.<o:p></o:p>UPDATE: Nagrelease na din si Mayor Gomez ng kanyang opisyal napahayag tungkol sa isyu: <o:p></o:p>OfficialStatement from Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez<o:p></o:p>'Controversyis nothing new to me. As an actor in the world of show business for over 3decades, I have had to deal with all sorts of controversy and sometimes-badpublicity, but this is the first time that my name has been dragged into anissue involving drugs. I initially did not want to dignify this with an answerbut given that this is politically-motivated and very malicious, I am speakingup. <o:p></o:p>'I havebeen an anti-drug advocate all my life. I spearheaded a massive anti-drugcampaign back in the 90's, way before it became a fad, before most everyonewanted to join the bandwagon. I am sorry to disappoint my political opponentsbut I have never been and I will never be involved in drugs and no one can pinme down on an accusation so baseless and ridiculous it is almost laughable. Infact, I ran on a very strong anti-drug platform, which the constituencyresonated with, and which got me elected as Mayor of ORMOC City, a place soinfected by drugs for many years. I also openly supported President Rodrigo RoaDuterte during the 2016 elections precisely because of his strong and seriousstance on drugs. To fight drugs and bring change is the reason I ran, and becausethe people saw how serious I was about it is the reason I won. Do not drag meinto this circus, I was never part of it. I will never be part of it. I urgethe legislators to dig deeper into this. Someone is trying to muddle the issue.<o:p></o:p>'I haveasked my lawyers to file a case against Major Jovie Espenido, a cop beholden tomy political opponents, who has attempted many times to besmirch my name. It isunfortunate that he was assigned to Albuera, Leyte, giving him control over thelate Mayor Ealinosa, whom i am sure he prevailed upon to impute my characterand those of other equally innocent officials.'<o:p></o:p>

Sa patuloy na imbestigasyon ng CIDG at ng Senate Committeeon Public Order and Dangerous Drugs at Justice and Human Rights ngayongAraw (November 10) hayagang pinangalanan at isinangkot ni Chiefinspector Leo Laraga ang mga high-ranking government officials saLeyte na kabilang diumano sa drug group ni Espinosa, atkabilang si Goma sa mga umano’y dawit at protector ng mgataong involved sa ilegal na droga sa bayan ng Leyte.<o:p></o:p>Samantala dumepensa naman si Mayor Richard Gomez sa issue sapamamagitan ng maikling text message na ipinadala niya sa <a href='/admin/Push.com.ph'>Push.com.ph</a>. <o:p></o:p>'That is ridiculous and outright laughable. I will noteven dignify that with an answer. Huwag nila ako isama sa circusnila.' <o:p></o:p>Sa ngayon hangad ni Goma ang tama at malinis na proseso ng pagiimbistiga sa kaso.<o:p></o:p>UPDATE: Nagrelease na din si Mayor Gomez ng kanyang opisyal napahayag tungkol sa isyu: <o:p></o:p>OfficialStatement from Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez<o:p></o:p>'Controversyis nothing new to me. As an actor in the world of show business for over 3decades, I have had to deal with all sorts of controversy and sometimes-badpublicity, but this is the first time that my name has been dragged into anissue involving drugs. I initially did not want to dignify this with an answerbut given that this is politically-motivated and very malicious, I am speakingup. <o:p></o:p>'I havebeen an anti-drug advocate all my life. I spearheaded a massive anti-drugcampaign back in the 90's, way before it became a fad, before most everyonewanted to join the bandwagon. I am sorry to disappoint my political opponentsbut I have never been and I will never be involved in drugs and no one can pinme down on an accusation so baseless and ridiculous it is almost laughable. Infact, I ran on a very strong anti-drug platform, which the constituencyresonated with, and which got me elected as Mayor of ORMOC City, a place soinfected by drugs for many years. I also openly supported President Rodrigo RoaDuterte during the 2016 elections precisely because of his strong and seriousstance on drugs. To fight drugs and bring change is the reason I ran, and becausethe people saw how serious I was about it is the reason I won. Do not drag meinto this circus, I was never part of it. I will never be part of it. I urgethe legislators to dig deeper into this. Someone is trying to muddle the issue.<o:p></o:p>'I haveasked my lawyers to file a case against Major Jovie Espenido, a cop beholden tomy political opponents, who has attempted many times to besmirch my name. It isunfortunate that he was assigned to Albuera, Leyte, giving him control over thelate Mayor Ealinosa, whom i am sure he prevailed upon to impute my characterand those of other equally innocent officials.'<o:p></o:p>

<img src='' alt='111016-RichardGomez2_PUSH.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>'Huwag nila ako idamay sa circus nila.'<o:p></o:p>Ito ang naging pahayag ng aktor at ngayon ay Ormoc Citymayor na si Richard Gomez matapos madawit ang kanyang pangalan at ibapa sa patuloy na investigation ng Criminalinvestigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 8 nanamuno sa raid ng selda ni Abuera, Leyte mayor RolandoEspinosa Sr. kung saan ito ay napatay.<o:p></o:p>

The actor and now mayor of Ormoc Leyte is allegedly in the drug list submitted by deceased Abuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa.

Richard Gomez reacts on alleged involvement in Espinosa drug group | PUSH.COM.PH