House Extends Barzaga Suspension by Another 60 Days

The House of Representatives of the Philippines has approved an additional 60-day suspension without pay for Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, extending the disciplinary action against the lawmaker.

In a 238-10-9 vote on Wednesday, the chamber adopted the recommendation of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, chaired by 4Ps Party-list Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos, to impose another two months of suspension on Barzaga.

The ethics panel said the extension came after Barzaga allegedly violated the conditions of his initial 60-day suspension.

“After a thorough deliberation on the case, the committee finds that respondent Barzaga of the fourth district of Cavite committed repeated, escalating misconduct during the period of his suspension from office from December 1, 2025 to January 30, 2026, which reflected negatively upon the dignity, integrity and reputation of the House of Representatives,” saad ni Abalos sa kaniyang report sa plenaryo.

The new penalty follows a privilege speech by Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano urging further sanctions against the neophyte lawmaker, accusing him of continuing to spread fake news and false claims that allegedly damage the reputation of fellow legislators and the House.

Barzaga was first suspended on December 1, 2025, for 60 days due to social media posts deemed inappropriate for a member of Congress. However, while under suspension, he again took to social media, alleging that business tycoon Enrique Razon had bribed several members of the National Unity Party (NUP) to support the speakership of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Following the allegation, several NUP members and Razon filed cases against Barzaga in court.