THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday issued a show cause order against Davao de Oro Rep. Ruwel Gonzaga, who is running for governor in the May 2025 polls, to explain his sexually-charged statements made during campaign sorties.
In a three-page order, the Comelec – Task Force SAFE asked Gonzaga why he should not be disqualified and why no election offense should be filed against him.
“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to show cause in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from receipt hereof, and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the task force said.
“Failure on your part to comply with this Order shall be construed a waiver of your right to be heard and the filing of the appropriate case against you,” it added.
The Comelec – Task Force SAFE cited an instance where Gonzaga asked the crowd whether men or women are better at sex.
Another incident cited by the poll body is where he pointed at how one resident has been a widow for 14 years, and asked her to kiss a certain barangay kagawad in front of the crowd.
Gonzaga was also caught asking a certain “Dotdot” to open her legs.
The Comelec – Task Force SAFE said such acts and statements may be deemed as “discrimination against women” and “gender-based harassment.”
“In our view, the foregoing utterances and/or acts constitute possible violations of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines,” the poll body said.
