House Moves Toward Tougher Sanctions Against ‘Congressmeow’ Barzaga

The House of Representatives has opened the door to stiffer penalties against suspended Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, also known as “congressmeow,” after lawmakers authorized a new ethics probe into his conduct while serving a 60 day suspension without pay.

During the plenary session on Tuesday, Jan. 27, the chamber approved a motion directing the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate Barzaga’s actions during the period of his suspension and determine whether further sanctions are warranted.

Deputy Majority Leader 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez introduced the motion, calling for a comprehensive review of Barzaga’s behavior and for the ethics panel to adopt and reassess its earlier findings under Committee Report No. 28.

“First, to conduct a thorough assessment on the conduct of the respondent member Mr. Francisco Barzaga during the period of his suspension… Second, to require the respondent member, Mr. Barzaga, to appear in the hearing of the committee; and third, to immediately report to the House its findings and recommendations after the scheduled hearing,” Gutierrez said.

Deputy Speaker Yevgeny Vicente Emano, who was presiding at the time, declared the motion adopted without objection.

Barzaga, 27, is set to return to the House next week following the expiration of his suspension, which was imposed on Dec. 1 for disorderly conduct. The earlier penalty came with a warning that repeat offenses could result in harsher punishment.

That warning, lawmakers said, may have been ignored.

Earlier in the same session, Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, raised concerns over Barzaga’s continued social media activity, which he described as defiant and inflammatory despite the suspension.

“Despite this, Congressman Barzaga has continued his defiance,” Valeriano said, pointing to posts that he claimed violated House rules, particularly Section 141 or Rule 20.

Valeriano cited allegations made by Barzaga accusing an unnamed National Unity Party (NUP) congressman of receiving bribes from businessman Enrique Razon in exchange for political support, a claim Valeriano dismissed as “isang malaking kalokohan at kasinungalingan.”

He also flagged posts that mocked the death of Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop, a fellow NUP member who died in late December, describing them as deeply offensive.

Ethics committee member Rizal 2nd district Rep. Emigdio Tanjuatco III echoed the criticism, saying such remarks were especially hurtful to Acop’s constituents and violated deeply held Filipino values.

“Hindi po katanggap-tanggap na makarinig o makakita sa social media ang mga posts na binabastos, niyuyurakan at iniinsulto ang isang taong namatay na,” Tanjuatco said, stressing the importance of respecting the dead.

With the ethics panel now formally tasked to act, Barzaga faces the possibility of additional disciplinary measures just as his initial suspension nears its end, signaling that the House is prepared to escalate consequences for conduct it deems unbecoming of a lawmaker.