BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has set sanctions for the “disorderly behavior” of its members.
These disciplinary actions are among the amendments the SP made in its Internal Rules.
The amendments proposed by Councilors Caesar Distrito, Renecito Novero and Ana Marie Palermo were approved by the SP last week.
Disorderly behavior refers to infliction of pain – either verbal or physical – the SP said.
SP members who inflict pain to their fellow members and/or persons at the session all premises will be slapped with a 60-day suspension.
During such suspension, the erring SP member will receive no salary.
Furthermore, SP members who fail to attend session for more than four consecutive times will be expulsed.
The suspension and expulsion can only be imposed should the SP agrees via a two-thirds vote.
Carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons, wearing of shorts or slippers, standing in front of the railings, displaying of placards and streamers, unauthorized taking of pictures, clapping or talking loudly, unauthorized distribution of leaflets or other documents, loitering, and use of radio, among others, are also prohibited inside the session hall.
These amendments were prompted by a “boxing incident” at the session hall on Sept. 12.
Councilor Jesus Claudio Puentevella punched fellow Councilor Dindo Ramos on the face while the SP was on recess.
Before this, Puentevella and Ramos engaged in a heated debate regarding an urgent matter the SP has to act on in relation to the city government’s proposed sanitary service contract with the IPM Construction and Development Corp.
The matter was settled as the city council authorized Mayor Evelio Leonardia to sign the contract for the construction of Cell No. 2 at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa – with Puentevella ordered out of session.
Two days later, Puentevella issued a public apology.
“I am not perfect and like many of us, I have my own flaws,” he said, adding that he “takes full responsibility” over what he did which he “can never be proud of.”
But Ramos said he will still file charges against Puentevella at the Office of the Ombudsman.
After the incident, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran requested Bacolod City Police Office head Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo to deploy some of his men to the Bacolod City Government Center.
Familiaran also ordered the Public Order and Safety Office to send some of its personnel at the session hall.
The vice mayor said these are “preemptive measures” should there be another “boxing incident.”/PN
