Camarines Sur councilor punched by fellow councilor inside session hall

A municipal councilor in Goa, Camarines Sur, was punched four times by a fellow councilor inside the Sangguniang Bayan session hall during a brief recess of a council session.

During an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Atty. Andy Rivero, the victim said the incident occurred during a one-minute recess, shortly before he was scheduled to deliver a privilege speech.

He had distributed copies of his speech to fellow council members when the alleged assault happened.

“I [was] about to deliver my privilege speech. Binigyan ko ng kopya yung mga kapwa ko konsehal. And binabasa nila, ako rin binabasa ko rin yung privilege speech ko. Then all of a sudden itong tao na to, ABC president pinagsusuntok ako tatlong beses sa likod ng aking ano sa batok at isang beses sa pisngi left,” Rivero said.

The councilor said his privilege speech concerned local government and police matters, particularly the issuance of special permits for 'cockfighting' operations in the municipality.

Under Goa's municipal ordinance, cockfighting is allowed only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. However, an amendment passed by the council majority in March 2026 revised provisions concerning the issuance of special permits.

Rivero questioned the regular issuance of special permits, saying these were being granted every Tuesday from March to November 2026.

He argued that the repeated issuance of special permits appeared to make what should be an exception a regular practice.

Meanwhile, Rivero denied provoking or confronting the councilor before the alleged attack. He also said the two had no previous personal dispute and were even friends.

“Walang nangyaring confrontation. Walang nangyaring provocation,” he said.  

The councilor said he intends to pursue both criminal and administrative complaints against his colleague.

“Mayroon siyang action then kailangan merong consequence. Kailangan dumaan sa tamang legal na proseso, ginagalang ko ang batas. Mhm. At ang mga nararapat na imbestigasyon sa kaso na ito, definitely criminal and administrative cases will be filed,” Rivero said.

Rivero added that the Sangguniang Bayan had yet to take any initiative regarding the incident.

As of the latest information provided, no official statement from the councilor accused of the assault was available.

Watch the full interview: