ANGELES CITY – “If you are afraid to go out and join our sessions, why don’t you quit to ensure your safety.”
Thus said Councilor Willie Rivera as he questioned Majority Floor Leader Councilor Agapito “Pitong” Del Rosario who had his handgun tucked in his waist during the city council special session at the city hall on Thursday. Rivera, a lawyer, is the minority floor leader.
Rivera said Del Rosario’s “action is an act unbecoming of a public servant.” He added that “it sent a wrong message to peace-loving citizens.”
“What if children were watching our sessions? They will think that even the city hall and its session hall are not safe,” Rivera said. He added that not even senators had brought their own guns during Senate sessions.
In a text message to Punto, Del Rosario said “it is not anyone’s business whether I carry a firearm or not. My firearm is properly documented.Willy Rivera should mind his own business. Tell him to sue me if I am breaking any law. Masyado siyang pakialamero. Tell him to keep his opinion to himself. Wala siyang pakialam sa safety measures ko.”
Rivera, for his part, cited Resolution 3039 (series of 2003) prohibiting the carrying of firearms during city council sessions.
“We are supposed to be lawmakers not law breakers,” said Rivera. “Worse, Del Rosario dared us to bring our own guns and even bazookas during sessions.”
“The resolution mentioned as with any other resolution is merely a sentiment of the city council and should be flexible,” said three-term councilor Del Rosario.
Del Rosario, one of the trusted allies of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno, cited a previous incident when then Councilor Efren De La Cruz brought his own firearms while attending sessions.
“To prove this: then Councilor Efren Dela Cruz also had a similar threat. He had to bring his firearm with him and have body guards with long fire arms during sessions,” said Del Rosario.
“Hinayaan lang namin, dahil we understood his safety measures. Alam ni Councilor Rivera yun! Ang hirap kay Willy kapag natatalo siya sa debate lahat na lang pinapakialaman niya. Masyado na siyang nagiging personal,” he added in a text message.
Rivera said Del Rosario should ask the mayor or the city police director to give him bodyguards posted just outside the session to ensure his safety.
“It’s not good when he (Del Rosario) is the one carrying his own firerarm as if the minority in the council would harm him. We won’t because the session is the venue for verbal tussle and not otherwise,” said Rivera.
In 2005, Del Rosario was accused of gunning down and killing a public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver near his home. But the case was reportedly resolved amicably between Del Rosario and the victim’s family.
Del Rosario, for his part, said “I was never accused by any court regarding that incident or any criminal incident.”
He added: “My family was placed in mortal danger when five people barged in my property (Barangay Sto. Domingo). I had no choice but to protect my family.”
“As I have said, my firearm then and now has the necessary documentation,” he stressed.
Rivera and Del Rosario engaged in a heated debate when the minority floor leader questioned the haste in the scheduling of the special session which was set at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Rivera disclosed that he had been given the notice of the special session less than the required time of 24 hours before the start of the session. He said he received his notice on Wednesday after lunchtime.
Thus said Councilor Willie Rivera as he questioned Majority Floor Leader Councilor Agapito “Pitong” Del Rosario who had his handgun tucked in his waist during the city council special session at the city hall on Thursday. Rivera, a lawyer, is the minority floor leader.
Rivera said Del Rosario’s “action is an act unbecoming of a public servant.” He added that “it sent a wrong message to peace-loving citizens.”
“What if children were watching our sessions? They will think that even the city hall and its session hall are not safe,” Rivera said. He added that not even senators had brought their own guns during Senate sessions.
In a text message to Punto, Del Rosario said “it is not anyone’s business whether I carry a firearm or not. My firearm is properly documented.Willy Rivera should mind his own business. Tell him to sue me if I am breaking any law. Masyado siyang pakialamero. Tell him to keep his opinion to himself. Wala siyang pakialam sa safety measures ko.”
Rivera, for his part, cited Resolution 3039 (series of 2003) prohibiting the carrying of firearms during city council sessions.
“We are supposed to be lawmakers not law breakers,” said Rivera. “Worse, Del Rosario dared us to bring our own guns and even bazookas during sessions.”
“The resolution mentioned as with any other resolution is merely a sentiment of the city council and should be flexible,” said three-term councilor Del Rosario.
Del Rosario, one of the trusted allies of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno, cited a previous incident when then Councilor Efren De La Cruz brought his own firearms while attending sessions.
“To prove this: then Councilor Efren Dela Cruz also had a similar threat. He had to bring his firearm with him and have body guards with long fire arms during sessions,” said Del Rosario.
“Hinayaan lang namin, dahil we understood his safety measures. Alam ni Councilor Rivera yun! Ang hirap kay Willy kapag natatalo siya sa debate lahat na lang pinapakialaman niya. Masyado na siyang nagiging personal,” he added in a text message.
Rivera said Del Rosario should ask the mayor or the city police director to give him bodyguards posted just outside the session to ensure his safety.
“It’s not good when he (Del Rosario) is the one carrying his own firerarm as if the minority in the council would harm him. We won’t because the session is the venue for verbal tussle and not otherwise,” said Rivera.
In 2005, Del Rosario was accused of gunning down and killing a public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver near his home. But the case was reportedly resolved amicably between Del Rosario and the victim’s family.
Del Rosario, for his part, said “I was never accused by any court regarding that incident or any criminal incident.”
He added: “My family was placed in mortal danger when five people barged in my property (Barangay Sto. Domingo). I had no choice but to protect my family.”
“As I have said, my firearm then and now has the necessary documentation,” he stressed.
Rivera and Del Rosario engaged in a heated debate when the minority floor leader questioned the haste in the scheduling of the special session which was set at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Rivera disclosed that he had been given the notice of the special session less than the required time of 24 hours before the start of the session. He said he received his notice on Wednesday after lunchtime.
