Ched Rick Gatchalian

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. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

 

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NUP Chair Puno, members to take legal action vs Barzaga over claims they received “bribes”

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768286333084barzag.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga at the House of Representatives plenary hall, September 17, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said he and some members of the National Unity Party planned to take legal action against Cavite Fourth District Rep. Kiko Barzaga over his claims that they received “bribes” from a businessman. </p><p>Last Friday, Barzaga said he would disclose the alleged “bribery” involving NUP members and a businessman prior to the 2025 elections. The Cavite solon claimed this prompted several NUP members to ask the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to require from him a “comprehensive fitness determination” before allowing him to resume legislative functions.</p><p>Puno, chairman of the NUP, tagged Barzaga’s statement as “baseless, reckless, and malicious”.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/8/nup-asks-house-ethics-panel-to-require-barzaga-fitness-test-before-resuming-legislative-duties-2342">NUP asks House ethics panel to require Barzaga fitness test before resuming legislative duties</a></div><p>“I will be filing cases against him,” the House Deputy Speaker said.</p><p>“Other NUP Members who were similarly maligned will be filing their own cases as well,” he added.</p><p>“He chose to malign all Members of the NUP, a party once led by his own father and one that he himself joined. To turn around and accuse the NUP of criminal conduct, without evidence, shows a reckless and deeply irresponsible contempt for the truth,” Puno added.</p><p>He said claims that bribes were paid to support former Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez for the Speakership “defies all logic”, because the latter “ran unopposed”.</p><p>On Tuesday, Barzaga said he would reveal evidence to back his claims once he returns to Congress.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/1/house-ethics-panel-recommends-60-day-suspension-for-barzaga-1712">House suspends Barzaga for disorderly conduct</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JItX_nZfFHM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>House Deputy Speaker and National Unity Party Chairman Ronaldo Puno and some members of the NUP plan to take legal action against Cavite Fourth District Representative Kiko Barzaga over claims that they received “bribes” from a businessman.</p>

House Deputy Speaker and National Unity Party Chairman Ronaldo Puno and some members of the NUP plan to take legal action against Cavite Fourth District Representative Kiko Barzaga over claims that they received “bribes” from a businessman.

NUP members to take legal action vs Barzaga over claims they received 'bribes' — Puno

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NUP members to take legal action vs Barzaga over claims they received 'bribes' — Puno

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 13, 2026 02:47 PM PHT

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Updated January 14, 2026 04:04 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

NUP

National Unity Party

Ronaldo Puno

Kiko Barzaga

House Committee on Ethics and Privileges

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