The House of Representatives has adopted a motion authorizing the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to conduct a fresh investigation into the conduct of suspended Dasmariñas City Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga.
This followed a request by Manila Rep. Rolando M. Valeriano for possible stiffer sanctions against Barzaga, who was suspended after members of his own party, the National Unity Party (NUP), filed an ethics complaint against him last month.
Last week, Valeriano filed a cyberlibel complaint against Barzaga over a viral post accusing NUP lawmakers of receiving bribes in exchange for political support.
House Deputy Majority Leader Rodge Gutierrez moved on Tuesday night to authorize the ethics panel “to conduct a hearing at its next scheduled meeting,” after Valeriano invoked his personal and collective privilege on the floor.
He said the panel should assess Barzaga’s conduct during his suspension, require him to appear before the committee, and “immediately report to the House its findings and recommendations after the scheduled hearing,” citing Committee Report No. 28 on Committee Case No. SC202503.
The plenary adopted the motion. Deputy Speaker Yevgeny Vicente Emano presided over the session.
Valeriano reminded lawmakers that on Dec. 1, 2025, the House imposed a 60-day suspension on Barzaga for serious violations, “with a stern warning that repetition of similar misconduct would merit more severe sanctions.”
“Mr. Speaker, ako po ‘yung naniniwala na hindi dapat at he violates ‘yung kanyang suspension, so I move, Mr. Speaker, na sa susunod na committee hearing ng ethics siya po ay mapatawan muli ng another suspension without allowance and salaries,” Valeriano said.
“Despite this, Congressman Barzaga has continued his defiance,” he added, citing posts made through official congressional platforms that he said “flagrantly violate Section 141 or Rule 20 of our rules.”
“Discipline without enforcement renders our authority meaningless,” Valeriano said. “The continuing defiance of Congressman Barzaga must be addressed immediately.”
In response to a query from Rizal Rep. Emigdio P. Tanjuatco III, Valeriano read portions of Barzaga’s posts alleging that an “NUP Congressman received bribes from businessman Enrique Razon in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 election in exchange for supporting Speaker [Ferdinand] Martin [G.] Romualdez,” which he called “isang malaking kalokohan at kasinungalingan.”
Valeriano also cited posts made after the death of former Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, including statements that Acop’s death “will not stop him from facing justice” and references to “eternal damnation,” which he said were made while Barzaga was under suspension.
Tanjuatco said the remarks were painful to Rizal residents and contrary to Filipino values.
“Hindi po katanggap-tanggap na makarinig o makakita sa social media ng mga posts na binabastos, niyuyurakan at iniinsulto ang isang taong namatay na,” Tanjuatco said.
“Sa ating lipunan, Mr. Speaker, ang respeto na binibigay ng bawat Pilipino sa isang taong namatay ay napakahalaga. Bigyan na natin po ng katahimikan at kadapat-dapat na respeto,” he added.
Valeriano said the acts were sufficient grounds for an ethics probe, citing the warning attached to Barzaga’s earlier suspension.
“I believe, Mr. Speaker, he violated ‘yung sanction niya po or ‘yung suspension niya,” Valeriano said, again calling for “another suspension… without allowance and salaries.”
