Manila lawmaker files third cyberlibel case vs Barzaga over bribery claims

A third cyberlibel complaint has been filed against Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, this time by Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, over allegations of bribery involving lawmakers.

Valeriano, a member of the National Unity Party (NUP), lodged the complaint before Manila Prosecutor Giovanni Lim on Wednesday, citing a viral social media post accusing NUP lawmakers of receiving bribes in exchange for political support.

Barzaga earlier alleged in his post that NUP congressmen received bribes from businessman Enrique Razon Jr. during gatherings at Solaire ahead of the 2025 elections, claiming the supposed bribes were given in exchange for supporting the reelection of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The complaint quoted Barzaga’s statement that “NUP Congressmen received bribes from Enrique Razon in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez.”

Valeriano said the statement amounted to a public accusation of bribery against identifiable members of the NUP bloc and constituted an imputation of a serious crime made without evidence. He argued that the post was widely circulated online, maximizing reputational damage.

The complaint said Barzaga’s post constitutes cyberlibel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code on libel. Valeriano added that the allegation was amplified through online news sites and social media pages, further exposing NUP lawmakers to public suspicion.

Valeriano also argued that the post was made maliciously and with reckless disregard for the truth, stressing that no proof was presented to support the claims. He said such sweeping allegations are particularly damaging at a time when public trust in government institutions is being rebuilt.

“Baseless accusations of bribery are not harmless political commentary,” Valeriano said. “They are accusations of criminal conduct, broadcast to the public as if they were established fact. If you claim that legislators were bribed, then you have the duty to prove it. Otherwise, it is a malicious attack designed to destroy our reputations,” he added, speaking to reporters at the Manila City Hall Press Club after filing the complaint.

The lawmaker stressed that the accusation was not aimed at a single individual but at a defined and identifiable group—members of the NUP in the House of Representatives—making the attack institutional in nature.

“This is an affront to the entire NUP, not just to one Member,” Valeriano said. “It was intended to stain a whole bloc of legislators through one sweeping allegation, without evidence, without verification, and without accountability.”

He added that the complaint was filed at a time when public confidence in institutions should be strengthened rather than undermined.

“These accusations are especially harmful at a time when we are still rebuilding public trust,” Valeriano said. “When lies are repeated as fact, they do not just malign individuals, they weaken institutions.”