THE camp of Davao de Oro 2nd District Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga denied that the congressman blurted out the statements used by the Commission on Election as a reference for its show-cause order against him.
In a text interview with Governor Dorothy "Dotdot" Gonzaga, the beleaguered congressman's wife, she said Rep. Gonzaga is readying his statement once the videos' authenticity is proven.
"Wala pong statement na ganun si Cong last March 8, na nakaputi sya etc. Andyan mga senators last March 8 sa Women's (Women's Day celebration) at Bulawan Festival, at nagpa-certify pa kami sa authenticity ng video (There was no statement made by Cong. Gonzaga last March 8, in which he wore white, etc. There were the senators present last March 8 during the Women's Day celebration and the Bulawan Festival, and we also have the videos' authenticity certified)," the governor said.
She stressed that one of the videos the Comelec is referring to was taken in March 2024 during Kaimunan Festival in Laak with the municipal mayor, Antonio "Ay-Eng" Libuangan, and the audio on the video was clearly edited.
She added that the other video was taken on April 1, 2024, during the Araw ng Laak, but still the audio was edited.
"Plus, 2025 March pa ang effectivity sa Comelec resolution. Di man tawn na election offense at that time, granting nga na-utter (Plus, the Comelec Resolution 11116 was not yet effective until March 2025, so that was not yet an election offense at the time, granting he indeed uttered those phrases)," the governor said.
She added the video where the congressman was shown inviting a certain Nena in front of the audience, it was taken on February 5, when the Comelec resolution was not yet implemented.
She said she would also furnish Sunstar Davao with a copy of Ms. Nena's statement later.
In the meantime, in the video where the congressman was heard mentioning his wife’s name, the governor said they are still tracing it, but that she finds no offense in the words of Cong. Gonzaga since it was her, his wife, as the supposed victim.
"Tong sa akoa, di namo ma-trace ug asa ug kanus-a kay walay reference pa. If ever naa, di pud bullying kay asawa man ko (The video where I was a part of, we couldn't trace it yet and when was it taken since there was no reference. If ever there was any, it was not bullying since I am his wife)," she said.
The Comelec issued a show-cause order against Rep. Gonzaga on April 8 for uttering several and separate statements that allegedly may constitute violations of Comelec Resolution No.11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for Purposes of the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections and Barmm Parliamentary Elections.
It states that the congressman's utterances violated, specifically Section 3 of the resolution, which states that "During the election period, any person who, directly or indirectly, commits acts of bullying on the basis of HIV status, coercion, discrimination against women, discrimination against PWDs on the use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, labeling, public ridicule against PWDs, vilification of PWDs, violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites and ceremonies as defined under Section 2 of this Resolution shall be liable for an election offense pursuant to Section 13 of RA 9006 and Section 261 (e) of the OEC and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations." CEA