Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez challenged his political opponents to release their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) to the public to show that they are not hiding anything.
The mayor said it is better to show our SALN "so people would know how much is our net income."
"Kung di sila magpakita sa SALN, aw basin naa sila'y gitago. Ang akong SALN, akong ipakita. Bisan kinsang kandidato, magpakitaay ta og SALN," Gomez told the Krusada Ormoc radio program in an interview.
(If they do not show their SALN, maybe they are hiding something. My SALN, I will show it. For us candidates, let us show our SALN)
Gomez said he was not earning well in politics, than in showbiz.
"Sa panahon nga wala pa mi sa pulitika, dagku kaayo amo'ng income. In fact, pagsud namo sa pulitika mihinay siya kay mas dako pa akong income sa pagka artista. Di man sa paghinambog, ang akong sweldo sa pagka mayor, ang usa ka buwan let's say P100,000, kanang P100,000 pag artista nako, usa ka adlaw lang na. Kining gibuhat naku pagka mayor, it's really more of a sacrifice," matud ni Gomez.
(When we were not yet in politics, our income was bigger. But when we entered politics, our income had been reduced. Bragging aside, my monthly salary as a mayor let's say P100,000 can be earned in just one day in showbiz. Being a mayor is more of a sacrifice.)
He said his plan to introduce reform in governance paved the way for him to run as mayor of Ormoc.
He said he told his wife Lucy Torres-Gomez, now Leyte 4th District Representative, before that he would run as mayor of Ormoc so he could change the system of governance in the city.
"Gusto naku nga by the time nga mag-retire ko, moabot ang time nga matiguwang ko, ari ko sa Ormoc. Karon pa lang, gusto naku okay na ang Ormoc City, hapsay na ang Ormoc, maayo na ang sistema diri sa gobyerno. Again, priority gyod naku sa ako'ng administration ang peace and order kay tanan development mosunod ra basta hapsay ug malinawon lang ang lugar ug makatulog sab og maayo ang mga residente kay kahibalo sila nga safe sila diri sa Ormoc," Gomez said.
(I want that when I retire due to old age, I will remain here in Ormoc. As of now, I want Ormoc to be peaceful and its system of governance in order. Again, my priority is peace and order because all the developments will follow if the place is peaceful and residents can sleep well because they know that Ormoc is safe)
The matinee idol of the '90s will run as a representative for Leyte's 4th district in the May 2022 elections, while his wife Lucy will run for mayor of Ormoc. (JKDP, TPT)