House suspends Kiko Barzaga for ‘reckless’ social media behavior

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives suspended Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga for 60 days for disorderly behavior, citing social media posts that his colleagues found reckless.

A total of 249 lawmakers voted on Monday, December 1, to adopt the ethics committee recommendation to sanction the neophyte lawmaker. There were five House members who rejected the report, while 11 others abstained.

“Respondent’s reckless, offensive, and irresponsible use of his social media platform tarnishes the name, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives,” House ethics committee chair JC Abalos said, reading from the 27-page committee report.

“Repetition of similar misconduct will result (in) a more severe disciplinary action,” he added. “The committee recommends that Barzaga be directed to remove all 24 social media posts subject of this case within 24 hours from adoption of this report in the plenary.”

The punishment stemmed from the complaint filed by his former party mates at the National Unity Party, who flagged various online posts by Barzaga that supposedly demeaned women, and undermined government institutions.

Barzaga had been accused of inciting to sedition over posts that jokingly talked about setting Batasang Pambansa on fire.

Suspension is the second gravest penalty that can be imposed on a House member, next only to expulsion.

A suspended congressman is barred from attending sessions, receiving salary, and enjoying office space in the House.

“I wholeheartedly accept the decision of the committee. But I maintain my stance that President Marcos must be held accountable for his crimes. Too many people have died and too much money was plundered from the Filipino people for us to stand down now,” Barzaga said in a speech that was cut short because his mic was switched off.

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It used to be uncommon for the House to sanction one of its own, although it became much more frequent in the House under the Marcos administration.

In 2023, the House expelled Negros Oriental’s Arnie Teves for disorderly behavior and violation of code of conduct after he failed to come home to face allegations of masterminding the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.

In 2024, the House censured then-Davao del Norte 1st District representative Pantaleon Alvarez for allegedly making libelous remarks about fellow public officials in Davao del Norte, neglecting his duties as a congressman, and making seditious statements. Alvarez had urged the military and the police to withdraw their support for the Marcos administration.

Teves, Alvarez, and Barzaga are all political foes of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Barzaga joined the House in June this year and immediately became assistant majority leader. He quit NUP in September after supposedly being accused by the party of plotting to oust Romualdez.

He has since called for Marcos’ resignation.

Rappler’s analysis of Barzaga’s online content found that his posts have attracted the support of top hyper-partisan pro-Duterte bloggers. – Rappler.com