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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SEA Games incident enough ground for ethics rap vs Gomez, says Ridon

SEA Games incident enough ground for ethics rap vs Gomez, says Ridon

Published Dec 19, 2025 10:44 pm

At A Glance

  • Leyte 4th district Rep. Richard Gomez is ripe for an ethics complaint, according to House Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (left), Leyte 4th district Rep. Richard Gomez (PPAB)
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (left), Leyte 4th district Rep. Richard Gomez (PPAB)


Leyte 4th district Rep. Richard Gomez is ripe for an ethics complaint, according to House Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.
This, after the latter was asked about the latest controversy the movie star-turned-politician was involved in--hitting Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) President Rene Gacuma on the head while on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
“I think so," Ridon said in a press briefing Friday, Dec. 19, when asked if Gomez's alleged assault of the gray-haired Gacuma was enough reason for an ethics complaint.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez’s act of hitting the president of the Philippine Fencing Association undermines the reputation and dignity of the House of Representatives.
"Parang it impinges into the reputation and the dignity of the House, pag ginagawa ho ng House Members, hindi ba? Parang hindi ginagawa dapat ng House members yun, eh. Yung nambabatok ng matanda or nambabatok ng kung sinumang tao,” he said.
(It seems to impinge on the reputation and dignity of the House when House Members do that, doesn’t it? It’s something that House Members really should not be doing, hitting an elderly person at the back of the head or hitting anyone at all.)
The actions of Gomez, also an athlete, wees caught on video. The clip has since gone viral.
Reports say Gacuma will be writing the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges over the incident. The panel is chaired 4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos.
“I think private persons like yung PFA president can actually do it (file a complaint). Ang sabi naman nila, walang aregluhan dito (They claimed there will be no settlement), apologies, from either party, so, I'm quite certain, yung pong (the) PFA president will actually file an ethics complaint against Congressman Gomez,” Ridon added.
As to the possible penalty for the Leyte lawmaker, Ridon said that would be up to their colleagues to decide.
“Bahala siyempre yung komite at saka yung plenaryo. Mag-desisyon kung ano yung ginagawa doon (Of course that's up to the committee and the plenary. They'll decide what to do with that)," notes the lawyer-legislator.
If and when an ethics complaint against Gomez prospers at the committee, it will endorse a penalty against him which the 300-plus strong chamber can then either adopt or reject in plenary.
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