Solon bats for another suspension against Rep. Barzaga

A lawmaker has called for another suspension to be imposed on Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga—this time without allowances and salaries—over his alleged continued violation of House rules despite being under suspension.

Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano of the National Unity Party (NUP) said Barzaga has persisted in defying House rules through acts committed via his official congressional platforms, which he said flagrantly violate Section 141, or Rule 20, of the House Rules.

Valeriano said the alleged continuing defiance of Rep. Barzaga must be addressed immediately.

The Manila solon said his fellow lawmaker violated the sanctions imposed on him during his suspension, prompting him to seek another penalty “to teach him a lesson.”

Valeriano said he will move during the next House ethics committee hearing to impose a stiffer suspension on Barzaga over what he described as “continued” violations of House rules.

Barzaga has been under fire from colleagues in the House of Representatives after he accused NUP congressmen of accepting bribes from business tycoon Enrique Razon ahead of the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez—an allegation Valeriano described as a “huge lie.”

Because of the post, Barzaga was slapped with separate cyber libel complaints filed by Valeriano, House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, and Razon.

Valeriano also cited Barzaga’s social media posts accusing late congressman Romeo Acop of alleged involvement in flood control corruption.

A congressional panel has been authorized to conduct a hearing, assess Barzaga’s conduct during the period of his suspension, and submit its findings and recommendations to the plenary.

For his part, Barzaga said he would present evidence to support his bribery allegations in court.

He also said he stands by his criticisms of Acop, arguing that the latter’s death does not preclude scrutiny of his actions while alive, likening it to how figures such as Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot continue to be cited as examples of populist dictators.

Barzaga added that he is no longer a member of the NUP and is therefore not bound by the party’s standards.

In December last year, the House of Representatives imposed a 60-day suspension on Barzaga after finding him guilty of disorderly behavior stemming from what it described as “reckless” and “inflammatory” social media posts. He was warned then that repeat offenses would merit a more severe penalty.