Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760408811034cropped-20250917-house-of-representatives-kiko-barzaga-MT2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga is seen at the House of Representatives plenary hall as Speaker Martin Romualdez is set to issue a statement regarding his resignation on September 17, 2025. Lawmakers witnessed the transition, which marked a significant political shift in the lower chamber. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>MANILA — Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga may decide on whether or not to use &quot;mental health&quot; as defense against the ethics complaint filed against him, House Committee on Ethics chairperson Rep. JC Abalos said Tuesday.</p><p>Speaking to ANC’s Headstart, Abalos said, “It would be up to him if he wants to interject that as a defense.”</p><p>But the chair underscored that the Ethics Committee only has jurisdiction over the actions, not mental health issues, of the members of the House of Representatives.</p><p>House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno and some members of the National Unity Party filed an <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/15/lawmakers-to-bring-barzaga-s-behavior-to-house-ethics-committee-1952">ethics complaint </a>against Barzaga over alleged misconduct, inciting seditious activity, posting lewd content, and flaunting wealth.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>GHOST CONGRESSMAN?<br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Ethics Committee held its first hearing on the complaint Monday, in which Barzaga was late because he was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/13/barzaga-late-for-ethics-hearing-i-was-playing-games-on-my-computer-1402">“very busy last night playing computer games</a>.”</p><p>“Kung totoo man yun, dapat handa rin siyang panagutan kung ano ang magiging pasya ng committee dahil alam naman po nating lahat, lalo na ang bawat Pilipinong manggagawa, kung late kang pumasok sa trabaho, may pananagutan ka,” he said.</p><p>“Kung galit tayo sa ghost project na nagpapakita ng katiwalian, dapat galit rin tayo sa mga ghost congressman na nagpapakit ng kapabayaan,&quot; he added. </p><p>Abalos said his reason could negatively affect his case, especially since the committee has contempt power. “And in case that happens, the hearing would be tried ex parte,” or favoring one side.</p><p>“Nakakahinayang because we are really giving him the opportunity to explain his side. However, he wasn’t able to make it for allegedly playing video games,” Abalos said.</p><p>Abalos noted that House members are expected to perform their job, respect proceedings, and represent their districts or sectors with dignity inside and outside the plenary, including on social media.</p><p>The complaint has been referred to the reconciliation subcommittee, but both Puno and Barzaga said they prefer not to settle.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>POSSIBLE PENALTY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The ethics committee is now waiting for both parties’ written correspondences expressing their unwillingness to conciliate.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/puno-doubts-barzaga-plan-to-impeach-marcos-jr-will-get-much-support-1708">Puno doubts Barzaga plan to impeach Marcos Jr. will get much support</a></div><p>Abalos said that in the history of the Ethics Committee, a complaint has resulted in expulsion only twice, one of which was former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo &quot;Arnie&quot; Teves Jr., who was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/08/16/23/house-expels-teves-over-abandonment-of-office">expelled </a>over &quot;abandonment of office.&quot;</p><p>Most complaints end in light sanctions. </p><p>But Abalos explained that ethics complaints are considered classified, and the committee decides whether or not the sanctions are disclosed to the public.</p><p>The committee will decide if the outcome of the complaint against Barzaga will be disclosed publicly, he said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0bLtxTL6wm4?si=RCZrT-Bj53TGaDUz" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Ethics Committee held its first hearing on the complaint Monday, in which Barzaga was late because he was “very busy last night playing computer games.”</p>

The Ethics Committee held its first hearing on the complaint Monday, in which Barzaga was late because he was “very busy last night playing computer games.”

Can Barzaga use 'mental health' as defense in House ethics complaint?

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Can Barzaga use 'mental health' as defense in House ethics complaint?

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 14, 2025 10:31 AM PHT

Read More:

Kiko Barzaga

Ronaldo Puno

House of Representatives

Ethics complaint

politics

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