Richard Gomez files appeal

MANILA, Philippines - Actor Richard Gomez filed a motion before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday asking it to reconsider its decision disqualifying him from the congressional race.

Gomez, who is running for congressman of Leyte's 4th district, said he hopes the Comelec en banc will favor him this time.

He was accompanied by his lawyers when he filed his motion for reconsideration.

The poll body earlier granted the petition for disqualification filed by Buenaventura Juntilla against Gomez.

Juntilla, a former barangay chairman, pointed out that Gomez did not fulfill the legal requirement that a candidate must be a resident in the area where he intends to run for at least one year.

Gomez, who is married to an Ormocana, television host Lucy Torrez, has disputed Juntilla’s argument. He pointed out that he and his family have been living in Ormoc since 2007.

"Alam naman ng karamihan na after the 2007 elections we decided to reside in Ormoc," Gomez, who lost his senatorial bid during the 2007 polls, said.

As for his home in Greenhills, Gomez said: "Siyempre kasi dito ang trabaho ko it would be hypocritical naman na kung nasa Manila ako ay nasa hotel ako nakatira.”

“Just like any other congressmen, lahat sila may bahay sa Metro Manila. Ang mga anak nila ay nag-aaral din dito. Pero kapag may break at walang trabaho dito ay umuuwi din sa probinsiya nila,” he added.