Goma’s bid ‘deemed withdrawn’ if he accepts House post

The senatorial bid of movie and television actor Richard Gomez is "deemed withdrawn" if he accepts his appointment as a "special consultant" of the committee on drugs of the House of Representatives, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said yesterday.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said Gomez cannot perform his appointed duties and pursue his candidacy at the same time under the Omnibus Election Code.

"He knows he is a candidate so why accept a position that is not compatible with his candidacy? His candidacy is probably deemed withdrawn. He is not disqualified because he is qualified. But he could not do these two functions at the same time," Jimenez told The STAR.

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. earlier invited Gomez to help in the crusade against illegal drugs, especially among the youth.

Gomez reportedly commented that his appointment to the post will not stop him from seeking a seat in the Senate.

The actor is not new to the anti-drug advocacy, as he became a nominee of the party-list group Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga (MAD) which won in the May 2001 elections.

MAD, however, was not able to assume a seat in Congress and was disqualified for using government funds to campaign.

According to Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, the poll body needs to know if Gomez’s consultancy job is formal before it can determine Gomez’s fate.

Jimenez said the Comelec will get in touch with Gomez to determine if he is aware of this restriction. – Sheila Crisostomo