Nelson Morales

PCW condemns Barzaga’s ‘scandalous behavior’ following ethics complaint

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MANILA—The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on Wednesday issued a statement calling out the conduct of Cavite Fourth District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, whose behavior was recently brought into question by the House ethics committee.In its statement, PCW reminded the House of Representatives that the alleged actions of the public official put into spotlight by recent media coverage, which include “lewd and inappropriate photos and statements that degrade women,” are a “direct affront to the honor and dignity of women and a gross violation of the trust placed upon them by the Filipino people.”<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/15/lawmakers-to-bring-barzaga-s-behavior-to-house-ethics-committee-1952">READ: Lawmakers to bring Barzaga’s behavior to House ethics committee</a></div>“The conduct of Representative Barzaga, as reported, is not merely a personal misstep; it runs contrary to the very ethics and morals that should guide a public official,” PCW said. “It is an act of insensitivity and callousness, particularly in a society where women and girls navigate multiple layers of abuse, discrimination, and violence on a daily basis.”During a press conference on Monday, National Unity Party Chairperson Ronaldo Puno presented photos from the congressman’s social media account displaying women in bikinis, flaunting rolls of cash, and posting certain statements that Puno deemed as demeaning to women.PCW reiterated that being a public official entails a “sacred responsibility” and are expected to be role models that support people’s rights and protect the vulnerable. Engaging in the “objectification and denigration of women” is a betrayal of this duty, PCW asserted.The commission, which is the primary governing body on promoting and safeguarding the rights of women, labelled Barzaga’s demeanor as a “disturbing backlash” against the country’s progress in advocating women empowerment and protesting against violence against women (VAW), according to its statement.It underscored the nation’s major contributions to fostering women empowerment and gender equality, such as signing landmark legislations like the Magna Carta of Women, the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act, and the Safe Spaces Act.“Actions that demean women’s dignity undermine these hard-won gains and threaten to normalize a culture of misogyny that we have been working so hard to dismantle,” PCW added.PCW also demanded that similar acts, regardless of the individual’s political standing, must be subjected to the same ethics sanction by Congress and across all sectors of the national government.“Accountability must be a non-negotiable principle,” the statement read.Barzaga, who was replaced on Monday as House Assistant Majority Leader by Cavite 8th District Aniela Tolentino, set his eyes on the speakership amid the House shakeup. Earlier today, Rep. Martin Romualdez stepped down as House speaker and was succeeded by Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/16/barzaga-wants-to-take-speakership-from-romualdez-1544">READ: Barzaga wants to ‘take’ speakership from Romualdez</a></div>During the 2025 midterm elections, PCW released at least four similar statements addressing sexist and misogynistic remarks from running candidates and a public official. In line with this, the commission urged Filipinos to “learn from these lessons.”“True leadership is reflected not only in a candidate’s promises but in their actions and how they treat others,” PCW said.“Beyond the corruption of public funds, we must also fight the corruption of women’s rights, empowerment, and human dignity that has spread like a cancer in our society. This moral decay must be addressed with the same scrutiny as financial corruption” the statement concluded.

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on Wednesday issued a statement calling out the conduct of Cavite Fourth District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, whose behavior was recently brought into question by the House ethics committee.

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on Wednesday issued a statement calling out the conduct of Cavite Fourth District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, whose behavior was recently brought into question by the House ethics committee.

PCW condemns Barzaga’s ‘scandalous behavior’ following ethics complaint

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PCW condemns Barzaga’s ‘scandalous behavior’ following ethics complaint

Jose Raphael Gonzales,

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

Published Sep 17, 2025 06:42 PM PHT

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PCW

Philippine Commission on Women

Francisco Barzaga

House of Representatives

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