Manila councilors clash during budget debates

MANILA, Philippines — A week before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 2025 midterm elections, deliberations on the budget of the Manila city government for next year escalated into a shouting match among councilors on Tuesday.

Councilor Joel Villanueva of District 4 and District 6 Councilors Salvador Philip Lacuna and Benny Abante III shouted at each other during plenary deliberations.

Lacuna resigned as chairman of the city council’s appropriations committee during the session. He was replaced by District 2 Councilor Numero Lim.

A video of the councilors’ argument was posted on social media.

Villanueva and 16 other Manila councilors earlier filed a complaint against Vice Mayor Yul Servo over a “secret session” in July during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina.

The session allegedly led to the petitioners’ removal from their committee positions.

In the 2025 polls, Villanueva is seeking a seat in the House of Representatives under Aksyon Demokratiko, led by former Manila mayor Isko Moreno.

Servo belongs to Asenso Manileño, led by the vice mayor and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna.

Moreno has announced his bid to reclaim the mayor’s post in the 2025 elections.