The House Committee on Ethics is prepared to act on any complaint filed against Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez following a widely circulated video showing him allegedly physically assaulting Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) president Rene Gacuma during the SEA Games in Thailand.
Ethics Committee chairperson and 4Ps Partylist Representative JC Abalos said he would refrain from commenting on the merits of the incident, noting that no formal complaint has been filed against Gomez so far.
“Gayunman, bilang usapin ng prinsipyo, gusto ko ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan na hindi kinukunsinti ng House of Representatives ang anumang uri ng karahasan o pananakit laban kanino man dahil ang ganitong asal ay hindi sumasalamin at sumasang-ayon sa pamantayan na inaasahan natin mula sa ating mga public officials,” Abalos said.
Although the House is on Christmas break, Abalos said the committee is already gathering available information to guide its actions should an ethics complaint be lodged.
“Nangangalap tayo ng mga impormasyon na available na maaaring ma-guide ang committee kung sakaling magkaroon ng isang ethics complaint dahil sa incident na ito,” he added.
Abalos also noted that under House rules, the Ethics Committee may initiate a motu proprio investigation upon a member’s motion, in addition to acting on formally filed complaints.
“So sa ngayon, suspendido ang mga meetings and ang mga hearings ng Committee on Ethics dahil naka-suspend ang session. Pero ‘pag mag-resume, the committee is prepared to entertain any complaint or any motion from any of our members. Kung sakali man magkakaroon ng complaint or motu proprio investigation handa po tayo for any scenario,” he said.
The incident reportedly stemmed from Gomez allegedly becoming angry after learning that Philippine fencing team member Alexa Larrazabal had been replaced, which led to the confrontation captured on video during the SEA Games.