House peers silence ‘meow-meow’ for now

The House of Representatives has suspended Dasmariñas Rep. Kiko Barzaga for 60 days, without salaries and allowances, after finding him guilty of “disorderly behavior” and “reckless, offensive, and irresponsible” social media posts mainly against the administration that bordered on sedition.

With a 249-5-11 vote, the House adopted the 27-page report of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges which outlined several violations allegedly committed by Barzaga. 

These include, among others, Section 4(c) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) and engaging in conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress.

Barzaga was also ordered to remove 24 social media posts that were the subject of the ethics case within 24 hours of the adoption of the committee report by the plenary. 

Although some lawmakers agreed that Barzaga’s actions were inconsistent with the ethics, conduct, and decorum required of a lawmaker, such actions should not stifle free speech.

Severe penalties 

Panel chairperson JC Abalos said that Barzaga’s posts “bring contempt, discredit, and disrepute to the House of Representatives,” and that “a repetition of similar conduct will result [in] more severe disciplinary action,” which is expulsion.

“Respondent’s conduct simply does not reflect the kind of principles and ideals the public expects of a public official,” the chair declared during the plenary session.

The subject posts allegedly included, among other things, content that was “lewd, unprofessional, and inappropriate photos,” which Abalos said “clearly showed bad faith.” 

“His actions reflected negatively upon the dignity, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives as an institution and of the members of the House individually and collectively,” he said during the plenary session. 

Barzaga takes rap

Barzaga, on the other hand, responded that he “wholeheartedly accepted” the decision of the committee, but maintained his “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,” he said on the floor.

The controversial neophyte lawmaker has drawn public attention for his social media posts calling for the resignation of President Marcos, Cabinet members, and other key government officials whom he alleged were involved in wrongdoing and corruption, such as the flood control scam, without sufficient evidence.

He also called for and participated in the anti-corruption movement.

Aside from his ethics case, Barzaga said he is also facing a criminal complaint lodged by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group accusing him of inciting sedition and rebellion.