Joselito Malig

'Richard Gomez’s alleged assault of PFA president could be ‘ground’ for ethics complaint'

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The alleged assault committed by Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez against Philippine Fencing Association President Rene Gacuma could be “ground” for an ethics complaint against the lawmaker, according to House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson and Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon.Gacuma accused Gomez of hitting him on the nape in a sporting venue hosting fencing matches at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. The PFA President sent a letter to Dr. Raul Canlas, Chef d’Mission of the Philippine delegation to the SEA Games, detailing the incident, which will also be submitted to the Ethics Committee of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the House of Representatives (HoR).“It impinges into the reputation and the dignity of the House, ‘pag ginagawa ito ng House members, hindi ba? Parang hindi ginagawa dati ng House members ‘yun, eh. ‘Yung nambabatok ng matanda or nambabatok ng sinumang tao,” Ridon said.The lawmaker&#x27;s conduct came after the PFA decided to replace Philippine fencing team member fencer Alexa Larrazabal. The PFA said its decision was based on decreased attendance and other concerns, despite Larrazabal&#x27;s strong performance in national tryouts.In a statement, Gomez said the decision to remove Larrazabal left a &quot;huge impact on individual players and eventually proved damaging to the Philippines&#x27; results in Individual Women&#x27;s Épée.&quot;Gomez questioned the PFA President&#x27;s &quot;last-minute&quot; decision to replace its &quot;best women&#x27;s epée player&quot; with the number three player. The lawmaker also noted that Larrazabal competed in the team event, where she was assigned as the team anchor.Larrazabal, along with Gomez&#x27;s daughter Juliana, Ivy Claire Dinoy, and Hanniel Abella, clinched bronze in the women&#x27;s team épée event.

The alleged assault committed by Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez against Philippine Fencing Association President Rene Gacuma could be “ground” for an ethics complaint against the lawmaker, according to Rep. Terry Ridon.

The alleged assault committed by Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez against Philippine Fencing Association President Rene Gacuma could be “ground” for an ethics complaint against the lawmaker, according to Rep. Terry Ridon.