Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Despite being required to attend, Cavite Fourth District Rep. Kiko Barzaga did not show up to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges meeting on Tuesday tackling accusations against him.</p><p>This came as no surprise to Manila Second District Rep. and National Unity Party (NUP) member Rolando Valeriano who cited Barzaga’s previous absences in earlier ethics committee hearings. </p><p>“Ugali niya ‘yan. Kung matatandaan niyo, unang suspension niya, parang three to four times kami nag-hearing. Isang beses lang siya dumating,&quot; Valeriano told reporters after the committee meeting.   </p><p>&quot;At ‘yung mayroong hearing na lahat kami, gumising nga nang maaga to attend the hearing. Respetado namin ‘yung Committee on Ethics. Pero ang sagot niya, kaya ‘di siya dumating, kasi nagvi-video games siya. Or nagco-computer siya, napuyat siya,” he said. </p><div><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">Barzaga late for ethics hearing: &#x27;I was playing games on my computer&#x27;</a></div><p>The lawmaker said there was a noticeable “pattern” in how Barzaga was handling the matter.</p><p>“So ‘yun, makikita mo ‘yung pattern na nilalaro niya ‘yung sitwasyon. And I hope na maging aral sa kanya ‘to,” Valeriano added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>ETHICS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION  </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The House Committee on Ethics will submit to plenary by Wednesday its recommendation regarding Barzaga, according to Valeriano.</p><p>He said suspension and expulsion wee among possible recommendations.</p><p>“By tomorrow, nangako naman sila na gagawin nila dahil ano nga immediately o forthwith, ‘di ba? So by tomorrow, 3 o’clock, isa-submit nila sa plenary, and malalaman natin kung natuloy ‘yung 60-day suspension or baka expulsion,” Valeriano told the media.</p><div> </div><div><strong>VALERIANO WANTS MORE THAN SUSPENSION </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Valeriano said he hoped Barzaga would face not just suspension due to his allegedly worse remarks made December to January.</p><p>In particular, Valeriano cited comments made by Barzaga against late congressman Romeo Acop.</p><p>Barzaga earlier alleged Acop was involved in flood control corruption.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/lawmaker-calls-for-barzaga-s-further-suspension-2153">Lawmaker calls for Barzaga’s further suspension</a></div><p>“Pero tingin ko from December 1 to January 30, mas malala pa ‘yung mga pinaggagawa niya. Imagine-in mo, ‘yung namatay na colleagues namin na ginagalang namin... Mina-malign niya, at kung anu-ano sinasabi niya,&quot; Valeriano said.</p><p>&quot;Tingin ko mas grabe ‘to, ‘tong ginawa niya. Kaya ako umaasa na na by tomorrow, ‘yung Committee on Ethics and even the plenary will adopt another suspension for him. And I hope na hindi lang suspension para mabigyan ng aral ‘yung mga ganyang bata,” he said.</p><p>In December, a 60-day suspension was imposed against the congressman due to his social media posts.</p><p>This came with a warning that repeat offenses could mean a more severe punishment.</p><p>Valeriano filed House Resolution 669 for an additional 60-day suspension without salaries and allowances against Barzaga, which was referred to the ethics committee.</p><p>And in a privilege speech before, Valeriano called for a heavier sanction against Barzaga for allegedly continuing House Rules violations.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/lawmaker-calls-for-barzaga-s-further-suspension-2153">Lawmaker calls for Barzaga’s further suspension</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>BARZAGA TO RESPOND NEXT WEEK</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>When asked for comment on the ethics committee hearing, Barzaga told ABS-CBN News, “I’ll respond when I’m back next week nyahahahaha.”</p><p>A similarly playful response was heard from Valeriano when asked if he had a message for Barzaga: “Meow meow… I hope na huwag siyang pamarisan ng mga bagong legislator or mga bagong halal. Alam mo, seryoso itong posisyon natin. May honorable nga sa simula, ‘di ba?... Maging seryoso tayo. Tumakbo tayo rito para tumulong sa tao, para mag-legislate, hindi para babuyin mo ‘yung mga kasamaan mo.”</p><p>According to Valeriano, Barzaga’s 60-day suspension expired last January 30.</p><p>“Nag-expire ‘yung suspension niya, I think, last January 30, ‘di ba? So three days na. Pero kahapon, nasa session ako. Hindi ko siya nakita. Hindi ko alam ngayon… Actually, wala na siyang suspension, unless by tomorrow, ang Committee on Ethics mag-aano ulit ng another suspension sa kanya,” Valeriano said.</p><p>The Manila lawmaker added that some of his fellow congressmen carry ill feelings towards Barzaga due to allegedly “calculated” moves that target only those he is not allied with.</p><p>“Medyo nagtatampo ‘yung mga colleagues natin kasi kung mapapansin niyo ‘yung attack niya, alam niya ‘yung ginagawa niya. Kalkulado eh, ‘di ba? Hindi niya ina-attack ‘yung mga supposed to be kakampi niya… Tapos pagkanagkamali siya, mabilis din namang humingi ng sorry,” Valeriano said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>LIBEL COMPLAINTS FROM 10 NUP MEMBERS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Valeriano estimates around 10 members of the NUP, himself included, already filed libel complaints against Barzaga.</p><p>It can be recalled other congressmen, such as House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, filed cyberlibel complaints against the Cavite lawmaker due to a post accusing House members from the NUP received bribes from a business tycoon in exchange for support for former House speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/20/puno-files-cyberlibel-complaint-vs-barzaga-over-bribery-post-1223">Barzaga faces another cyberlibel complaint over bribery claim</a></div><p>“Hindi lang naman dito sa ethics. Ako, kung matatandaan niyo, nag-file din naman ako ng libel case against him. So kasama rin kami sa pinag-uusapan. Not only me, pero tingin ko mga 10 na NUP members na nag-file ng libel,” Valeriano 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/E0QgdOlSslY?si=_Z0ZSEYnYzNmiYc0" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Despite being required to attend, Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga did not show up to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges meeting on Tuesday tackling accusations against him.</p>

Despite being required to attend, Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga did not show up to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges meeting on Tuesday tackling accusations against him.

Barzaga no-show at House ethics panel meeting; committee recommendation expected by Wednesday

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Barzaga no-show at House ethics panel meeting; committee recommendation expected by Wednesday

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 03, 2026 06:20 PM PHT

Read More:

Barzaga

House of Representatives

ethics

suspension

expulsion

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