Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Jeryll Harold Respicio drew criticism from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla after a heated exchange with barangay officials during a Sangguniang Bayan session over tobacco excise tax funds.
Remulla said Respicio’s behavior was “inexcusable” and that the Department of the Interior and Local Government would look into what could be done to address the vice mayor’s conduct.
“This is what kids see and absorb as normal. This is a sad day for local government,” Remulla said.
The confrontation happened as Respicio questioned barangay officials about projects funded by the town’s tobacco excise tax share, which was reported at ₱66 million.
Respicio questioned the status of projects, including those that he said had not been completed or implemented. He also raised whether the funds were being used for programs that directly benefit tobacco farmers.
He questioned why tobacco farmers were not included in the proceeding.
The discussion became heated as Respicio and several barangay officials exchanged words. In a video of the incident, Respicio was heard calling someone a “magnanakaw,” or thief, while a barangay official responded by calling him “bastos,” or rude.
The exchange centered on questions about how tobacco excise tax funds were being used at the barangay level.
Respicio maintained that the funds should benefit tobacco farmers. The issue included questions about the status and implementation of projects funded through the tobacco excise tax.
Mayor Malou Respicio-Saguban defended the use of the tobacco excise tax share. She said the allocation was made in accordance with laws and guidelines and was intended for projects and long-term investments in the barangays.
The incident also prompted further attention to local officials’ conduct.
