De Lima says Gonzaga’s campaign remarks mirror `dangerous mindset’
Former Senator Leila de Lima. File photo.
MANILA, Philippines — The ill-received recent remarks blurted out by Davao de Oro Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga in the middle of a campaign sortie didn’t escape former Senator Leila de Lima.
De Lima said such statement against a widow — an attempt at humor in a hope to gain voters’ favor — is a “reflection of a dangerous mindset” and a “broken political culture.”
De Lima, who is running for senator, condemned Gonzaga’s pronouncements in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“As a woman public figure, I am deeply appalled and angered by the degrading remarks made by Davao de Oro Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga,” de Lima said.
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“His sexist ‘jokes’ are not merely inappropriate—they are symptomatic of a broken political culture that continues to treat women as objects, not as equal citizens. This is not just about words. This is about power—and how some choose to abuse it,” she added.
De Lima likewise pointed out that Gonzaga’s behavior “undermines the dignity of women, and weakens the very foundations of respectful, democratic leadership.”
“This is exactly why we fight for Justice and Reform. Because when leaders belittle women for sport, when they make light of harassment, or turn misogyny into entertainment, they reveal how far we still are from a government that truly serves all,” she said.
`Politics anchored on respect’
In line with this, De Lima called on Gonzaga — a member of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) — to apologize to the general public, specifically to “all Filipinos who believe in a politics anchored on respect, fairness, and human dignity.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who leads the PFP, should discipline Gonzaga, she said.
“I also call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as leader of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, to discipline his party-mate. As the administration party, PFP must set a good example,” she stressed.
On Wednesday, the Commission on Elections issued a show-cause order against Gonzaga, who is running as Davao de Oro provincial governor.
According to Comelec’s show cause order, Gonzaga ordered board member candidate Nene Atamosa to stand in front of a crowd with a certain kagawad or village councilor and asked the two to kiss.
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Atamosa, a widow for 14 years, was the subject of Gonzaga’s remark.
“I am telling you, Nene Atamosa is a widow of 14 years. I am sure her ‘something’ is already closed. Will you try to make it loose?” The candidate also told the kagawad in vernacular language.
Because of such actions and remarks, the Comelec panel said Gonzaga is “hereby ordered to SHOW CAUSE in writing within a non-extendible period of three (3) days from the receipt thereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or petition for disqualification should not be filed against you.”
Gonzaga is the fourth candidate to receive such an order from Comelec.
