Richard Gomez accused of physical and verbal attack by Philippine Fencing Association president

Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez has been accused of physically and verbally attacking the president of the Philippine Fencing Association during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

According to a report from ONE News, Rene Gacuma said Gomez, who is a PFA director and second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, allegedly confronted him on Dec. 16 at Fashion Island, the site of the SEA Games fencing competitions. 

In a letter addressed to Philippine delegation chef de mission Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, Gacuma wrote, "When I extended my right hand to congratulate Mr. Gomez, he planted his right foot on my left foot, squeezed my right thumb very hard and said, ‘Who gave you the authority to replace that athlete!? Na-take up ninyo ito sa Board Meeting in my presence?! P***ng n mo, Rene g**o ka!'"

Gomez was apparently upset about the replacement of national athlete Alexa Larrazabal in the women's individual epee event.

“I managed to release my left foot he was stepping on and as I turned my back on him to leave, he reached out to strike the back of my head (nape area) with what I felt was a hard closed-fist right hook,” Gacuma added. 

A video contributed to News5 shows who appears to be Gacuma walking slightly ahead of someone who appears to be Gomez in the venue. Gomez is then seen reaching out and striking Gacuma on the back of the head, causing Gacuma to slightly stagger forward and clutch his head. He walks away as a companion grabs Gomez's shoulder to pacify him and others surround the solon.

Gacuma said the incident agitated him and caused his blood pressure to shoot up. As a result, he asked a PFA staff volunteer to accompany him to the opposite side of the venue, and sat close to the medical station.

Later, while Gacuma was still at the medical station, Gomez allegedly "capped" Gacuma's jawline "forcefully."

According to the PFA president, Gomez took offense over the PFA board's decision on Dec. 14 to replace Larrazabal with Hannie Abella. Larrazabal's coaches, the board found, had frequent absences from training, failed to submit required travel documents, and was generally not responsive. Gacuma said the switch was unanimously approved during the SEA Games team managers meeting held Dec. 15. 

Calling Gomez's alleged attack "uncalled for and unruly," Gacuma is planning to consult legal counsel and is considering filing charges against the congressman. 

Richard Gomez's response

In an interview with One Balita Pilipinas on One PH, Gomez explained his side.

"'Yung number-one fencer ng women's PFA, si Alexa Larrazabal, the night before ng laban nila, bigla nilang tinanggal. Hindi nila pinalaro...Sabi ko never nangyari sa 'min 'yan na ikaw 'yung number-one fencer, biglang hindi ka palalaruin," Gomez said. 

The congressman has had his share of SEA Games podium finishes in fencing in 1997, 2001, 2003, and 2005. He also served as president of the PFA from 2016 to 2023. 

He didn't deny confronting Gacuma about Larrazabal's removal from the roster.

"Sabi nila kasi daw hindi nagte-training. Sabi daw hindi raw nila nakikita. Sabi ko, eh ilan lang naman ang nagte-training sa Ultra. Just because hindi niyo nakikita sa Manila, it doesn't mean hindi nagte-training 'yan," Gomez said. 

He added the PFA officials stopped Larrazabal from playing "only to favor 'yung favorite nila na number-four na individual. Eh 'yun ang favorite nila. So ang nangyari, pagdating kahapon, wala rin. Talo rin 'yung pinalit nila," Gomez added. 

According to him, the next day, Larrazabal participated in a match and "she performed the best today."

He said he didn't see the video of him allegedly striking Gacuma, but did not deny their confrontation. 

"Because I was so mad. When the country's fighting for a medal, bakit mo ipapasok 'yung mas mahina na player?" he said. "Prior to that...binubully nila si Alexa. Sabi ko, you do not bully an athlete. 'Wag niyong babastusin 'yung mga athletes natin."

Gomez said it is within Gacuma's right to file a complaint against him. But he is planning to file his own. 

"Walang problema. Because ako, I am also filing a complaint for emotionally hurting my athlete. Atleta namin 'yan eh. Tinuruan namin eh. We spent money para gumaling 'yang atleta namin. Tapos babastusin niya ng ganu'n, hindi nila palalaruin. Wala kasi silang ganu'ng klaseng experience, e..."

In another statement, Gomez emphasized how Larrazabal was "robbed" from the chance to compete at the SEA Games, highlighting that he will "will fight to protect our athletes to the very end."

"Alexa Larrazabal does not deserve to be denied her opportunity to fight for the Philippines, and to robbed of her chance at competing in the biggest stage in her career, the one moment she practiced years and years of her life for," he said.

"For Gacuma, it is easy to cry victim of assault. But for Larrazabal, her chance to compete in Individual Women's Épée at the 33rd SEA Games, had been unjustly stolen from her. We cannot turn back time. She will have to wait another two years. As for justice, I will fight to protect our athletes to the very end," he ended.

The 33rd SEA Games are being held until Dec. 20 in Thailand.