One less prankster

One less prankster | Daily Tribune

More than merely irritating his colleagues in the House of Representatives, Cavite Representative Kiko Barzaga risks losing his seat in the august chamber for sullying the memory of his highly regarded late father, Pidi Barzaga.

The last thing the House needs now is an unhinged member amid public scrutiny of Congress over a corruption scandal.

Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronnie Puno said the deplorable conduct of the so-called congressmeow had convinced several House members that he is not fit to be a member of the legislature.

The supposed lawmaker’s suspension is scheduled to be lifted on 1 February, but Puno said the sanction will be extended pending consideration of Barzaga’s expulsion.

“The first step is to file it with the Committee on Ethics. Our usual suspension is 60 days, so most likely another 60 days (of suspension will be slapped. But of course, the process for his expulsion will also begin,” according to the veteran lawmaker.

Expulsion will take longer to impose, as the process is exacting and an elected official cannot be removed summarily.

“You really have to make the reason very, very clear, as well as the basis for removing a representative from Congress. Nevertheless, in our initial discussions in the Committee on Ethics, they will try to expedite this,” according to Puno.

Within a body composed of varied personalities, Barzaga has lately stood out for dragging the chamber’s image further downhill with his antics.

“The members should respect the congressmen and the House,” Puno explained the impending actions against his peer.

The extreme penalty that can be imposed on a House member will likely be applied to Barzaga, a rare fate since the electorate’s decision carries full weight.

Yet, Barzaga has caused many people to be disrespected by what he has been doing.

Puno said, “When he was only attacking us congressmen, that was tolerable. But (he crossed the line) when he started attacking the deceased, and even made comments about a vice mayor in Iloilo who died due to what appeared to be an accidental firing incident — imagine, he even said that it might not be suicide but murder.”

Dueñas, Iloilo Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan died on 1 January 2026, following a reportedly self-inflicted gunshot wound to her abdomen on 30 December 2025.

Philippine National Police and Department of the Interior and Local Government investigations affirmed the incident was an accidental firearm discharge.

Yet, the suspended Barzaga publicly questioned the official account in a 49-second video posted on his Facebook page shortly after the incident.

He described Lamasan’s death as “too suspicious” and linked it to alleged “flood control anomalies” in Iloilo, implying it was a murder rather than an accident or suicide.

He even implicated some of his peers in corruption and in his claimed conspiracy, without any basis.

“The damage he is causing is not only to the living but also to the dead. We believe this should not go unpunished. This is not the conduct of a proper congressman. It is shameful, and we are all deeply embarrassed by what he has done. This cannot continue,” according to Puno.

Most of all, Barzaga’s complete contrast with the honorable demeanor of his father means his time is up. He was given the chance to elevate the Barzaga political brand further, but he blew it.