Bacolod Councilor and Association of Barangay Captains president Noli Villarosa yesterday denied that he started shouting and challenging Councilor Roberto Rojas to a fight.

The shouting match occurred when the Sangguniang Panlungsod held a recess after deliberating on a resolution seeking an investigation on the procurement of the city of learning materials, during their session Wednesday.

In an interview over Aksyon Radyo, Villarosa said he did not agree with Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, author of the resolution, who called for the filing for the case against Mayor Monico Puentevella if it is proven that he is involved in any irregularity in the procurement of learning materials.

Lopez insisted to take up the resolution even when Councilor Archie Baribar, chairman of the SP Committee on Education, was not present, he said.

Villarosa said he did not want the SP to be used as a venue to investigate the mayor. So, he suggested that they also investigate the previous administration to be fair to all mayors, he added.

He claimed that Rojas then stood up and said “This is not Barangay Tangub” before challenging him to a fistfight.

“It is not true that I am investigating his mayor. I only want the Bids and Awards Committee to enlighten the Council,” Lopez said.

Lopez said they wanted the BAC to explain the P15 million and P34 million transactions involving learning materials. Since the group of Villarosa constitutes the majority, all they had to do was vote against his resolution.

He already agreed to the suggestion of Councilor Alex Paglumotan to ask the BAC to enlighten them instead, Lopez added.

“I also asked what are they afraid of or trying to hide? We should be transparent since this involves people's money,” he said. He only wanted to invite the BAC and did not mention the name of the mayor, he added.

Lopez, however, said that during their recess, Villarosa started shouting “Carl Lopez if you have money don't just investigate but instead consider livelihood programs for the people.” All these were captured on camera so people will know who is the one telling a lie, he said.

Lopez said Villarosa started everything and Rojas only reacted when he mentioned about the past administration, of which he had been a part of.

Rojas also pointed out to Villarosa that the charges filed against them by their political opponents have already been dismissed, he said.

Villarosa said he does not challenge anyone to a fight. He only performs his job as representative of the barangay captains.

But if he is challenged by Rojas he is willing to fight back, Villarosa said.

We should ask the presiding officer why other members of the SP are free to speak whatever they want while he is not being given the same opportunity, Villarosa said. If he tries to speak out, he is made to appear the bad guy because he is just a simple barangay captain, Villarosa added.

Bacolod Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya said that as presiding officer, he tries to ensure that everyone will be given equal opportunity to speak. The SP members would agree that he has been observing this.

“‘The internal rules only apply during the session. I think it is not about internal rules but how they should conduct themselves as public officials,” he said.

Gasataya said he called the parties involved after the session but Villarosa went home. They will discuss the matter at the next session to prevent a similar incident from happening.

Meanwhile, Villarosa, who joined the 36 other barangay captains in a two-day Lakbay Aral to Negros Oriental, said he invited all barangay captains to join the educational trip. He did not know that there was an occasion in Bacolod today, he said, referring to the birthday of Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia, where he delivered his State of the District Report.*CGS

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