Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez alleges abuse, bullying within Philippine fencing program

A major controversy has erupted within Philippine fencing after Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) president Rene Gacuma and Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez found themselves on opposing sides of the law following an incident during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

Gacuma accused Gomez of physical assault and verbal abuse during a confrontation that allegedly took place on Tuesday, December 16, at the Fashion Island Shopping Mall in Bangkok, one of the competition venues for the SEA Games. The incident has since escalated into a broader dispute involving governance, athlete welfare, and leadership within the national fencing program.

According to Gacuma, the confrontation stemmed from the PFA’s decision to replace national team member Alexa Larrazabal ahead of her scheduled competition. Larrazabal was reportedly dropped from the lineup due to issues related to attendance and incomplete requirements, a move that allegedly angered Gomez. Gacuma claimed that the congressman confronted him when he approached Gomez to congratulate him following his victory in a shotgun shooting event.

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For his part, Gomez acknowledged that his behavior during the incident fell short of expected conduct, admitting to what he described as “ungentlemanly deeds.” However, he firmly defended his stance, insisting that the PFA’s decision to remove Larrazabal from the competition was “unjust, unwarranted, and damaging to Alexa, the team, and the country’s overall results in the SEA Games.”

The controversy extended beyond Thailand and into the Philippine legislature, where Gomez addressed the issue during a regular session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 27. In his privilege speech, the lawmaker doubled down on his criticism of the PFA, accusing the federation, Gacuma, and national team head coach Ronaldo Canlas of misconduct.

GOMA HITTING PH FENCING CHIEF CAUGHT ON CAM

Philippine Fencing Association president Rene Gacuma accused Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez of attacking him during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

CCTV footage shows Gomez striking the back of Gacuma’s head, allegedly over… pic.twitter.com/kV8dl66dkD

— Bilyonaryo News Channel (@bncdotph) December 18, 2025

Gomez alleged that the officials were “bullying” Filipino fencers and “abusing their power,” framing the Larrazabal situation as part of a broader pattern of governance issues within the association.

“In my over 30 years’ experience in playing and supporting the sport of fencing in the Philippines, this had never been done. By replacing the number one player at the very last hours before the event, Mr. Gacuma and Mr. Canlas had already violated so many rules, both of the PFA and of the Philippine Olympic Committee,” Gomez said.

The congressman, who also serves as a director of the PFA and second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), further revealed that formal legal steps have already been taken. He confirmed that both he and Larrazabal’s parents have filed separate complaints against Gacuma and Canlas, citing allegations of “grave abuse of authority, oppression, favoritism, serious misconduct, and conflict of interest.”

Gomez warned that the dispute could expose deeper issues within the national fencing program, suggesting that the Larrazabal case may only be the beginning of broader scrutiny.

“If what we have heard so far is already disturbing, let me be clear: this is only the beginning. Underneath the facade of a well-run organization, there have been a number of complaints backed by pieces of evidence, not just of bullying, but of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse of fencers, even some younger than 18-years-old,” he added.

As of this writing, the PFA has yet to issue a comprehensive public response addressing the full scope of the allegations raised in Congress. The situation places Philippine fencing under intense scrutiny, with potential implications for athlete welfare, organizational leadership, and the country’s representation in international competitions.

With legal complaints now filed and public statements made at the highest levels of government, the dispute between Gacuma and Gomez is expected to continue unfolding in the coming weeks, raising serious questions about accountability and governance in Philippine sports.

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