Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

NUP asks House ethics panel to require Barzaga fitness test before resuming legislative duties

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/17678799537931758008196111548505875_1376974607123314_1138486383512839140_n (1).webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>MANILA — Several members of the National Unity Party (NUP), where Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga was formerly a member, want the suspended lawmaker to undergo a fitness review before resuming his legislative duties.</p><p>The NUP members — who filed an ethics complaint against Barzaga earlier — filed a Manifestation and Motion through counsel before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Thursday, December 8, asking the panel to require a comprehensive fitness determination before Barzaga can return to his legislative functions.</p><p>In a release, they cited his supposed &quot;continued publication of inflammatory and disorderly content&quot; despite the suspension that stemmed from “reckless” and “inflammatory” social media posts.</p><p>On December 1, 2025, 249 House members voted to impose <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/1/house-ethics-panel-recommends-60-day-suspension-for-barzaga-1712">a 60-day suspension on the Cavite lawmaker </a>after they found him “guilty of disorderly behavior”.</p><p>The complainants clarified that the filing does not seek for another penalty but &quot;invokes the Committee’s supervisory and fact-finding jurisdiction&quot; to ensure that &quot;institutional safeguards are in place&quot; before a Member who received disciplinary sanction can return to legislative work.</p><p>They said Barzaga continues to use his official social media accounts to post content that “reflects discreditably upon the House and undermines the ethical standards expected of Members of Congress.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/4/house-ethics-chair-says-sanctions-vs-barzaga-not-an-attack-against-admin-critics-1642">House ethics chair says sanction vs Barzaga not an attack against admin critics</a></div><p>They cited his alleged mockery and vilification of the late Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo “Romy” Acop, statements supposedly ridiculing tributes offered to Acop, and what they described as objectifying remarks involving women, among others.</p><p>&quot;The Motion is anchored on the House’s constitutional authority to discipline its Members under Article VI, Section 16(3) of the Constitution, and on the Committee’s continuing jurisdiction over matters affecting conduct, dignity, and institutional integrity under the House Rules,&quot; the statement read, adding that their concern stems from the necessity to maintain the House&#x27;s standards which makes it an institution worthy of public respect.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BARZAGA&#x27;S STATEMENTS VS. ACOP</strong></div><p>Barzaga posted statements on December 2025 against Acop following <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/12/21/antipolo-rep-romeo-acop-dies-after-heart-attack-1337">the Antipolo lawmaker&#x27;s death,</a> claiming he is now &quot;in hell&quot; and his death will supposedly not stop the investigation into Acop&#x27;s alleged involvement in flood control scandal.</p><p>&quot;Congressman Romeo Acop’s death will not stop him from facing justice, he must be investigated for his involvement in the Flood Control Corruption,&quot; Barzaga wrote on December 21.</p><p>&quot;Mali si Congressman Leviste, hindi lahat ng Congressman may 2m Christmas bonus, ako wala dahil suspended, at si Congressman Acop wala dahil nasa impyerno,&quot; he posted on December 31, after Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste claimed that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/29/leviste-claims-some-congressmen-received-p2-m-christmas-bonus-1849">some congressmen received a P2 million “Christmas bonus.&quot;</a></p><p>The NUP members added in their statement that a comprehensive fitness determination will assess whether Barzaga is &quot;physically, mentally, emotionally, and behaviorally prepared to discharge the duties of a Member of Congress in a manner consistent with the House Code of Conduct.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE</strong></div><p>Right after Barzaga was suspended, he immediately addressed circulating rumors about his mental health, saying he was never diagnosed with any serious mental health condition that could affect his legislative duties.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/14/can-barzaga-use-mental-health-as-defense-in-house-ethics-complaint-1031">Can Barzaga use &#x27;mental health&#x27; as defense in House ethics complaint?</a></div><p>He also stood by his online posts, which often mention the Marcos administration&#x27;s alleged involvement in corruption.</p><p>&quot;I will stop posting when they declare our democratic right to criticize the government is unconstitutional or illegal,&quot; he said.</p><p>Malacanang meanwhile earlier claimed that Barzaga is using Marcos&#x27; name to supposedly justify his disinformation posts and campaigns, adding that the Cavite lawmaker was also criticized for his online &quot;lewd photos&quot;.</p><p>Barzaga left the NUP after he was accused of soliciting signatures to remove then-House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez from his post.</p><p>In September 2025, Barzaga said he wants to &quot;take&quot; the House Speakership role from Romualdez.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><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/3wAN-nZQ0fs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>They cited his supposed "continued publication of inflammatory and disorderly content" despite the suspension that stemmed from “reckless” and “inflammatory” social media posts.</p>

They cited his supposed "continued publication of inflammatory and disorderly content" despite the suspension that stemmed from “reckless” and “inflammatory” social media posts.