The House committee on ethics and privileges on Tuesday condemned the alleged assault by Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez against Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) president Rene Gacuma during the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) last week, with its chairman saying a complaint would be welcomed to activate possible sanctions against the lawmaker.

Committee chair JC Abalos said it is “possible” that Gomez may face an ethics complaint, either through a formal filing or motu proprio, following the incident during the fencing competition at the 33rd SEAG in Thailand.

The incident, in which Gomez was accused of hitting Gacuma on the nape, was caught on camera and went viral online.

“The ethics committee is ready to receive any complaint, and we will take appropriate disciplinary action or recommendation once the matter has undergone our process,” Abalos said in an interview.

“As a matter of principle, we cannot consent to or condone any form of violence or the infliction of harm against any individual. This is not right, not acceptable, and it does not reflect the standards we expect from a member of Congress,” he added.

Under the Constitution, a member of Congress may be punished by suspension or expulsion for disorderly behavior, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its members.

Gomez, in response, told DAILY TRIBUNE that while he respects the opinion of the committee chair, he remains steadfast in his position that Gacuma’s actions “should never be tolerated,” which he described as tantamount to “bullying.”

“I had to step in and step up for the athlete when bullying and harassment were happening. I stand firmly for the protection of our athletes’ rights and welfare. No athlete, especially a young one, should ever be bullied, disrespected, or treated unfairly,” he said in a message.

Gomez mellows down

Earlier, Gomez said, “I do not deny my ungentlemanly deeds,” which he said stemmed from his frustration over the “sudden and questionable” decision by the PFA to remove top-seeded fencer Alexa Larrazabal from the roster for the individual women’s épée event on 16 December.

Gomez, a PFA director and Philippine Olympic Committee vice president, lamented Gacuma’s decision to pull out what he described as the team’s “best women’s épée player” and replace her with the third-ranked player, Hannie Abella, at the “last minute” of the competition.

Although the replacement was “unanimously reviewed and validated” by PFA directors, Gomez said he took offense at not being informed of the change, given that he was also present at the event.

Abalos, however, said Gomez’s actions were unjustifiable, particularly for a member of Congress who is expected to observe decorum and proper conduct at all times, even outside plenary sessions.

Despite Congress being on holiday break, Abalos said the committee will continue to gather relevant information on the incident should a complaint be filed.

Aside from Gomez, he said the panel remains open to receiving ethics complaints against other House members.