In a shocking turn of events at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, Philippine sports fans witnessed an unprecedented confrontation between actor-politician Richard Gomez and Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) President Rene Gacuma. The incident, which occurred on December 16, 2025, has raised serious questions about athlete management, favoritism, and leadership decisions within the country’s sports institutions.
1. The Incident Unfolded
CCTV footage released by TV5 shows Gomez and Gacuma near the photo wall of the fencing venue. Gacuma appears to walk away from Gomez, who then follows him, leading to a heated exchange that allegedly turned physical.
Richard Gomez, a sitting congressman representing Leyte’s 4th district, also holds significant positions in Philippine sports:
Director of the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA)
Vice President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)
Active SEA Games athlete, having recently won a silver medal in sporting clays shooting
The combination of his dual roles—as both a leader and competitor—intensified the tension during the confrontation.
2. Gacuma’s Complaint
Rene Gacuma filed a formal complaint with Raul Canlas, the chef de mission of the Philippine delegation, detailing Gomez’s actions. According to the letter:
Gacuma approached Gomez to congratulate him on his silver medal in shooting.
Gomez allegedly stepped on Gacuma’s left foot, squeezed his right thumb, and cursed at him:
“Who gave you the authority to replace that athlete? Na-take up ninyo ito sa Board Meeting in my presence?! P*tang na mo Rene, ggo ka!”
When Gacuma attempted to step away, Gomez reportedly pursued him and delivered a punch to the back of his head, which Gacuma described as a “hard closed-fist right hook.”
His blood pressure spiked, prompting immediate attention at the medical station.
Even while Gacuma was being monitored, Gomez allegedly confronted him again, placing his hand forcefully on Gacuma’s jawline and shouting:
“Di mo alam ang ginagawa mo!”
“You don’t know what you’re doing! I’ll kick you! I know where you live!”
Gacuma described these actions as both physically and emotionally intimidating, underscoring the severity of the incident.
3. The Root of the Conflict: Athlete Replacement
The confrontation, according to Gacuma and Gomez, was triggered by a controversial last-minute replacement in the women’s individual fencing competition:
Alexa Larrazabal, the No. 1 ranked fencer, was replaced by Hannie Abella just the night before the match.
Gomez argued that the decision was unfair and lacked transparency, especially since Larrazabal had consistently trained and performed well.
PFA directors reportedly made the decision unanimously on December 14 and formally submitted it on December 15. The directors involved included Secretary General Leah Gonzalez, Chairman Atty. Michael Abundo, and Carlos Angelo Dayrit.
Gomez, a former PFA president and experienced fencer, expressed frustration over what he viewed as favoritism:
“Only to favor their favorite, the No. 4 individual, that’s why they replaced Alexa. And when she finally competed, she performed the best today. That’s why I was mad. The president’s decision-making is foolish. That’s not the way an athlete should be treated.”
He also claimed that Larrazabal had been subjected to bullying months prior, highlighting ongoing mistreatment that extended beyond the SEA Games.
4. Gomez’s Side of the Story
In an exclusive interview with Cheryl Cosim for One Balita Pilipinas on TV5, Gomez admitted to a confrontation but downplayed the intent of violence:
He insisted he was angry and emotional, driven by concern for his athlete.
He stated that Gacuma approached him first, extending a handshake, which Gomez questioned in terms of the replacement decision.
Gomez emphasized his commitment to protecting athletes from unfair treatment and favoritism, saying:
“We spent money to train our athletes, and then they disrespect them by not letting them compete. I was standing up for our athlete.”
Gomez maintained that Gacuma had every right to file a complaint, but he also planned to file a counter-complaint regarding emotional harm and bullying of his athlete.
5. Reactions from the Philippine Sports Community
The incident has ignited debates across the Philippine sports and social media communities:
Many questioned whether leadership conflicts within PFA are affecting athletes’ performance and morale.
Observers highlighted Gomez’s dual role as both a policymaker and competitor, which may blur lines of authority.
Supporters of Gomez argued that his emotional reaction was driven by genuine concern for fairness and athlete welfare.
Critics, however, warned that physical altercations at international sporting events could tarnish the country’s reputation.
6. Broader Implications
The confrontation underscores several issues in Philippine sports:
Athlete Welfare: The case of Larrazabal demonstrates potential gaps in how athletes are treated, particularly regarding last-minute changes and favoritism.
Leadership Accountability: Gomez’s criticism of Gacuma raises questions about decision-making processes and transparency within national sports associations.
Role Conflicts: The incident highlights potential risks when an official simultaneously serves as a competitor and leader, especially in high-stakes events like the SEA Games.
Media Scrutiny: The rapid dissemination of CCTV footage and social media posts has intensified public attention and pressure for formal resolution.
7. Current Status
As of December 18, 2025:
Gacuma is considering filing a formal complaint against Gomez.
Gomez remains firm, asserting that protecting athletes is paramount and reiterating that Larrazabal’s treatment warranted his intervention.
Both parties are expected to provide official statements to the Philippine Olympic Committee and relevant sports authorities.
Observers anticipate that the PFA and POC may conduct an internal review to prevent similar incidents in the future, and discussions are underway regarding clarifying roles, authority, and dispute resolution mechanisms for athlete selection.
8. Public Opinion
The Philippines has a history of passionate debates surrounding sports leadership, and this incident has further intensified discourse:
Social media posts have trended under hashtags like #RichardGomezSEA and #SupportAthletes, reflecting widespread public engagement.
Fans of Gomez emphasize his record as a former fencer and advocate for athlete rights.
Critics warn that physical confrontations are unacceptable, regardless of intent.
Conclusion
The altercation between Richard Gomez and Rene Gacuma at the SEA Games 2025 is more than a personal dispute—it exposes systemic issues in athlete management, leadership accountability, and decision-making in Philippine sports.
While Gomez insists his actions were in defense of fairness and the welfare of No. 1 fencer Alexa Larrazabal, the incident also highlights the need for clear protocols and professional conduct, especially during international competitions.
As investigations unfold, the Philippine sports community and public alike await resolutions that ensure athlete protection, organizational transparency, and national representation without conflict.
One thing is certain: the SEA Games confrontation will be remembered as a high-drama moment where sports, politics, and personal passion collided on the international stage, leaving lasting implications for Philippine fencing and national sports governance.
