(UPDATE) A UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) journalism professor lashed out at Leyte 1st District Rep. Richard Gomez for accusing reporters of “orchestrated journalism,” calling the remarks a reflection of the lawmaker’s ignorance of how the press works. Gomez claimed journalists were engaged in “media spin” after he was urged to comment on flooding in Ormoc City. Danilo Arao, however, said the screenshots Gomez posted merely showed routine interview requests and nothing close to collusion. ”These are just simply requests for interviews. In fact, there are no questions. Only the topic was clearly mentioned there,” Arao said in an interview on Saturday. “You expect the media to be tackling the same issues. Although the line of questioning may be almost similar, there would be some nuances and differences with regard to the questions.” He said that seeking a public official’s side on an issue is basic news-gathering, not manipulation. “There’s no media spin in a situation where journalists and media workers are just simply doing their jobs,” Arao stressed. “It reflects more on the lack of knowledge — or no knowledge at all — on the part of Gomez with regard to how journalism works.” Arao said Gomez’s insinuation that money changed hands between reporters and their sources was absurd. ”When you get interviewed by the press, I don’t want to state the obvious, but you don’t get paid. That’s it. No money changes hands. In the sense that I, for example, as an interview source, do not pay my interviewer. In the same way, the news media organization is not expected to pay me,” he added. He warned that baseless claims such as Gomez’s exacerbate the trend of attacking the media and undermining its credibility. ”We don’t want the erosion of trust in the media perpetrated by the likes of Richard Gomez,” Arao said. “That’s why we have to call him out for the lack of understanding — or no understanding at all — with regard to the press.” Arao also found Gomez’s posture ironic given the lawmaker’s long exposure to both show business and politics. ”He has served in public service, and he has been an entertainer for the longest time. So, being media savvy, we expect that from him of all people,” he said. The professor added a personal reminder of Gomez’s own link to UP. “It may not be known to the public that Richard Gomez was once a special student in the University of the Philippines and he also took some courses in our college, embarrassing as it may seem,” Arao said. The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) on Saturday expressed concern over Gomez’s remarks. NPC President Leonel Abasola reminded all public officials that it is the duty of the media to get all sides of the story. ”We remind all public officials, including Rep[resentative] Gomez, that it is the duty of the media to seek the truth and to ensure that all sides are heard. Public officials may choose not to respond to questions, but they cannot malign the press or accuse journalists of bias without substantiated proof. Such actions constitute an unjust attack on press freedom and the fundamental role of media in a democratic society,” Abasola said in a statement. Gomez’s Aug. 28 social media post against the media showed the names and contact numbers of reporters from various media organizations. The NPC branded this act as a serious violation of data privacy. ”The NPC firmly upholds that the truth exists to serve the public, and public servants have a duty to provide it. Regardless of how uncomfortable it may be for those in power, the media will continue to pursue facts and hold leaders accountable in the interest of the people,” the group said. On Friday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also released a statement condemning Gomez’s remarks. As of Saturday, Gomez’s post remains on his official Facebook page.