LIST: The social media posts that got Kiko Barzaga in trouble

MANILA, Philippines – When the House ethics committee recommended the 60-day suspension of Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga on Monday, December 1, it gave an instruction: take down the social media posts that have been flagged.

Committee chairman JC Abalos of party-list group 4Ps also said Barzaga may face a more severe punishment if he continues his “reckless” behavior online.

But what are these social media posts that irked Barzaga’s colleagues?

Rappler saw a copy of the committee report that enumerated the two dozen social media posts in question.

The first 15 posts were published since he became a congressman in June. The ethics committee said the posts employed derogatory and inflammatory rhetoric against government institutions, and undermined confidence in government.

A few of his posts joked about setting the Batasang Pambansa on fire.

Barzaga also joked about bringing airsoft guns to a protest, and quipped about “bringing an end to this corrupt government.”

In some Facebook posts, Barzaga was critical of government bodies such as the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Other posts criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.

The ethics committee flagged nine posts — published by Barzaga before he became a congressman — that either showed lewd content or degrading views about women.

Two other posts from before he became a lawmaker showed Barzaga holding wads of cash. The ethics committee described the photos as an “ostentatious display of wealth.”

The ethics committee said that while the posts were made before he became a lawmaker, his failure to remove it upon assuming congressional office made him liable for misconduct.

A total of 249 lawmakers voted to adopt the ethics committee report. Five House members rejected it and 11 others abstained. – Rappler.com