Mayor denies fist fight with lawmaker

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A municipal mayor in Negros Occidental yesterday laughed off allegations that he almost figured in a fist fight with a lawmaker.

The alleged fistfight between Mayor Marvin Malacon of EB Magalona town and House Minority Leader Stephen Paduano was reportedly due to a quarrel over the position of campaign manager of former representative now Bacolod mayoral aspirant Alfredo Benitez.

Describing it as a “big joke,” Malacon said the fist fight would never happen as Paduano is his relative and an “elder brother” to him.

He said he did not replace Paduano as campaign manager of Benitez as he is not a resident of Bacolod.

Benitez also denied the allegations about the Malacon and Paduano rift, saying it is “very unlikely” to happen.

He said the role of Malacon is to help and support him in his bid to become mayor of Bacolod.

Benitez confirmed that they replaced the tarpaulins that had pictures of Paduano, who is seeking reelection as representative of the Abang Lingkod party-list group.

He said Paduano’s pictures were removed after the campaign period for national positions started on Feb.8.

Since the Abang Lingkod is gunning for a national position, Benitez said Paduano is not included in the new posters for the local candidates.

He said the party needed to follow the guidelines issued by the Commission on Elections.