By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A fight erupted between two Bacolod City councilors during yesterday’s Sangguniang Panlungsod session, forcing Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran to temporarily suspend the session.

A video posted minutes after the incident showed City Councilor Claudio Jesus ‘Kalaw’ Puentevella stand up from his desk, then proceed to approach and punch City Councilor Dindo Ramos.

The fight reportedly stemmed over a disagreement regarding the city’s waste management contractor, IPM-Construction and Development Corporation.

City Councilor Caesar Distrito said it was the first time such an incident occurred within the chamber.

“It is unprecedented,” he said. “There were instances of shouting, but there [has been] no physical violence among members of council.”

In an interview following the incident, Ramos called Puentevella “abusive” and said he plans to file assault charges, along with administrative charges for disrupting a public assembly.

Watchmen Daily Journal tried contacting Puentevella for comment but he immediately left the chamber following the incident and could not be reached on his mobile phone./DGB, WDJ