Bacolod councilor punches fellow councilor during city council session

BACOLOD CITY – A Bacolod councilor, who is the son of former Mayor Monico Puentevella, punched his fellow councilor at a Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod session Wednesday afternoon.

The punching incident then became a hot topic on social media in Bacolod after videos of the incident were posted on Facebook.

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod excluded Councilor Claudio Puentevella from attending the session yesterday after he punched Councilor Dindo Ramos on the left cheek following an argument over the proposed construction work at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, Bacolod City.

He did not expect Puentevella to suddenly punch him during an argument regarding the contract for the sanitary landfill, Ramos said. So he was filing charges against Puentevella for direct assault, either with the Ombudsman or the City Prosecutor, and disruption of a legislative assembly.

This is unparliamentary and is unprecedented in the history of the SP, Councilor Caesar Distrito said of the incident that happened after Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran called for a two-minute recess.

The blood pressure of Councilor Dindo Ramos shot up after he was assaulted by Councilor Claudio Puentevella at the SP session Wednesday. PHOTO by Chrysee Samillano

Distrito recalled that there were instances in the past when councilors would raise their voices or challenge each other during an argument, but there was no physical violence. This was the first time that a councilor has punched his fellow councilor.

He said that, based on their internal rules, any member of the Council could immediately be reprimanded and excluded from the session for any disorderly behavior.

Councilor Em Ang said the incident was unbecoming since they are considered “honorable” and yet they could not contain their emotions and reactions.

This is a legislative debate where one could express his or her opinion and allow other SP members to explain their side, but this did not mean becoming physical or violent. So this was very unfortunate, she said.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Bacolod was now celebrating its 80th year as a city and this was the first time he heard about this kind of incident.

“When we are in the SP or in the City Hall, we reason with our heads and not use our muscles. This happened at a time when this family (referring to the Puentevella’s) is not in power,” he said.

Can you imagine what they can do if they were in power? he asked.

Leonardia said this was a very serious matter and that there was no place for this in Bacolod City. The incident has not tarnished the image of the SP but of the person involved. This is a self-inflicted political injury, he said.

Councilor Puentevella could not be reached for comment.