Comelec orders rep Ruwel Gonzaga to explain lewd remarks

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered 2nd District Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, who is running for provincial governor in Davao de Oro, to explain his unwarranted sexual remarks made during campaign events.

Gonzaga was heard making lewd comments at three separate campaign activities and these were also posted on Facebook.

In a show cause order dated April 8, the poll body's Task Force SAFE cited Gonzaga for telling a woman to 'spread your legs' and making other lewd remarks at campaign events.

Gonzaga defended his actions in a letter addressed to Comelec’s Task Force SAFE Head Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada, stating that two of the cited comments were made before the effectivity of Comelec Order No. 11116 on February 19, 2025.

He also claimed that the third video showing his remarks was spliced and unauthenticated.

Former senator Leila de Lima urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take action against Gonzaga, calling for a public apology and disciplinary measures from the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas party.

Gonzaga is the fourth candidate to receive such an order from the Comelec on a sexually offensive remarks complaint.