What started as a routine accounting of last year’s tobacco excise tax funds turned into a standoff serious enough to draw police into the municipal session hall, with Vice Mayor Jeryll Harold Respicio at the center of the questioning.
The questioning took place during the question hour of the Sangguniang Bayan session. Respicio stressed that the allocations should directly benefit the town’s tobacco farmers.
The specific amount of the funds in question and the programs cited by barangay officials were not detailed in the session footage.
Barangay officials responded by explaining how the funds were spent and which programs were implemented.
A video was taken inside the session hall showing the exchange escalating. Several men wearing shirts of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas stood near the session floor as officials raised their voices across the room.
Respicio was seen standing at the presiding officer’s table and addressing the room through a microphone while another official approached him.
Under Republic Act No. 7171 and Republic Act No. 8240, tobacco-producing local government units receive a share of tobacco excise tax collections. The law intends these funds for programs that benefit tobacco farmers, such as livelihood projects and farm support.
Amid the commotion, a council member moved to suspend the session. It was not immediately clear whether the motion was carried.
Accusations were traded between the parties as the confrontation continued, with some attendees restraining one of the officials.
Police officers later entered the session hall and positioned themselves between the groups to pacify those involved.