A MUNICIPAL secretary in Catmon town, northern Cebu is facing trial for punching a councilor in a Sangguniang Bayan regular session last year.
The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas found probable cause to indict Arnold Duran on charges of direct assault.
Duran was accused by town councilor Ceasar Coloscos of trying to hit him with a coffee mug and punching his head over a heated argument on July 26, 2011.
In his complaint, Coloscos said he asked for corrections in the minutes of the meeting.
He said the presiding officer ruled to note and add the corrections in the approved minutes.
However, Duran refused since he allegedly did not hear the complainant utter the words that will be included in the corrections.
Coloscos blamed the municipal secretary for not tape recording the proceedings which resulted in the discrepancy of the minutes.
Coloscos asked whether the municipal secretary was dictating to the Sangguniang Bayan since he refused to comply with the ruling of the presiding officer.
Duran then approached and pointed his finger at the councilor and allegedly threw a coffee mug at him, narrowly missing the councilor. Coloscos said Duran punched him in the head, but Duran denied it. /REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL