THE session hall of the Bacolod City council turned out to be the setting of a boxing match between two councilors on Wednesday, September 12.
During the regular session, Councilor Claudio Puentevella and Councilor Dindo Ramos engaged in a verbal spat following a differing opinion during the deliberation.
Members of the August body were deliberating on the contract to be entered by the city government with garbage hauler IPM Construction and Development Corporation.
It was reported that Puentevella was asking the members to defer the item since they just knew about it minutes before the session has convened.
However, Ramos insisted to continue tackling the agenda since the resource persons were already present at the session hall. And that those who were not ready to interpellate them can ask their questions some other time.
This has escalated the heated exchange between the two councilors, which prompted Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran to call for a recess.
During the break, both Puentevella and Ramos stood from their chairs.
Puentevella then attacked Ramos.
Ramos, who sustained a bruise on his left face, was brought to the Vice Mayor’s Office while Puentevella left the session hall after the other councilors moved to expel him from the regular session to reprimand him.
Ramos said he will file administrative and criminal charges against Puentevella, who has yet to comment on the incident.
Both councilors need to be reminded of the proper decorum.
After all, arguments are necessary to prove a point. The question is, who’s on the side of the people?