Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17645712470141764571244981.jpeg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Kiko Barzaga, Facebook </div><div> </div>MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The House of Representatives has imposed a 60-day suspension on Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, after finding him “guilty of disorderly behavior”, which stemmed from “reckless” and “inflammatory” social media posts.During the House plenary session on Monday, 249 House members voted in favor of adopting the findings and recommendations of the House Committee on Ethics. Only five voted against it, and 11 abstained.The panel found the subject posts on Barzaga’s social media accounts either “incendiary”, “inappropriate” or “indecent”, which it said are “unparliamentary and unbecoming of a House member”.Last September, several congressmen from the National Unity Party led by House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, filed an ethics complaint against Barzaga over alleged misconduct and social media posts seen as lewd, flaunting wealth, and inciting seditious activity.During the proceedings of the House Committee on Ethics, Barzaga’s camp asserted that these posts are covered by the right to free speech and the oversight functions of a lawmaker.While the committee believes that allegations of inciting to sedition should be proven beyond reasonable doubt in an appropriate judicial proceeding, it found the subject social media posts to be “made with malice”, and “tending to insult and tarnish image of the House of Representatives”.“The committee finds the subject social media posts of the respondents to be inflammatory and with a tendency to unjustifiably incite public distrust of the government and the House of Representatives… The subject posts are not mere criticisms of the government, but reckless, unsubstantiated, offensive, general insinuations against public institutions and public officials that undermine the people’s confidence in the government,” the panel said, through its Chairperson, Rep. JC Abalos.“In this case, respondent’s conduct and remarks in his posts are not harsh critcisms against the government but were made with malice, tending to insult and tarnish image of the House of Representatvies as an institution,” it added.The panel further found the subject social media posts to be in violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, as well as the House Tules, which mandate members to “at all times” act  in a manner that shall “reflect creditably on the House”.“Taken in their entirety, the actions of Rep. Barzaga bring contempt, discredit and disrepute to the name of the House of Representatives. His actions reflected negatively upon the dignity, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives as an institution of the members of the House individually and collectively,” Abalos said.Apart from the 60-day suspension, the lower chamber also issued a stern warning that repetition of similar misconduct will result to a more severe disciplinary action.The House further directed Barzaga to remove all social media posts subject of the case within 24 hours.Barzaga accepted the decision, but also issued this statement.“I wholeheartedly accept the decision of the committee, but I maintain my stance that President Marcos must be held accountable for his crimes. Too many people have died and too much money was stolen from the Filipino people for us to stand down now. Whatever punishment may fall upon me and others who stand against this President… is inconsequential,” he said.Barzaga’s statement was cut short.“The respondent has already spoken. He has said that he has accepted the imposed penalty under the committee report. Therefore, I reiterate the motion to consider the adoption of the committee report and call the role of members for nominal voting,” House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor.“The respondent has been given the opportunity to explain his defense at the proper forum and we have accorded him that, Mr. Speaker,” Abalos asserted.“May I ask if the sponsor is willing to yield to a few questions?” Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco asked.“Mr. Speaker there’s already a motion and pursuant to our rules, the period of voting can no longer be interrupted by any motion or issue…Let’s hear the members and call the roll of members,” Defensor replied.After the voting, some lawmakers, who voted against adopting the committee report aired their sentiments.“Kwestyonable para sa akin na minadali natin itong decision, dahil ngayong hapon lang natin nakuha itong committee report na ito,” Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste said.“Who decides what mold is correct?…The committee resolution sets a dangerous precedent. Ganito ba tayo kabalat sibuyas, allergic sa naiibang pananaw?“ Kamanggagawa Party List Representative Elijah San Fernando added.Under the House Rules, the lower chamber, may suspend an erring member with the concurrence of two-thirds of its members.<div> </div><div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JItX_nZfFHM??si=Xnnkvmi6zYwW_-Hc&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

The House of Representatives has suspended Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga for 60 days after its Ethics Committee found him guilty of disorderly conduct.

The House of Representatives has suspended Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga for 60 days after its Ethics Committee found him guilty of disorderly conduct.

House suspends Barzaga for disorderly conduct

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House suspends Barzaga for disorderly conduct

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 01, 2025 05:12 PM PHT

|

Updated December 01, 2025 10:55 PM PHT

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