House Imposes Second Suspension on Cavite Congressman for Defiant Conduct
The House of Representatives has taken decisive disciplinary action against a member for repeated misconduct, voting overwhelmingly to adopt a recommendation for another suspension. In a plenary session on Wednesday, lawmakers approved the ethics committee's report with 238 votes in favor, 10 against, and 9 abstentions.
Fresh Violations During Suspension Period
The committee on ethics and privileges found substantial evidence that Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga committed new violations of House rules between December 1, 2025, and January 30, 2026. This occurred despite a stern warning issued by the chamber following his previous suspension.
Committee chair 4Ps Party-list Representative JC Abalos stated that Barzaga violated Section 141, Rule 20 of the House Rules by continuing to post malicious and defamatory content on social media platforms. The congressman allegedly used accounts identifying him as a sitting lawmaker during this period.
Complaint Details Serious Allegations
The new suspension stemmed from a privileged speech and formal complaint filed by Manila Representative Rolando Valeriano. The complaint alleged that Barzaga openly defied House authority by repeating and intensifying the same disorderly conduct for which he had already been sanctioned.
Valeriano specifically cited social media posts in which Barzaga accused fellow lawmakers of receiving bribes from tycoon Enrique Razon in exchange for political support. The ethics committee found these allegations to be "reckless, defamatory and unsupported" by evidence.
The complaint also highlighted posts vilifying the late Antipolo City Representative Romeo Acop. Abalos noted that the committee considered attacks on a deceased colleague particularly reprehensible and incompatible with the dignity expected of congressional members.
History of Previous Sanctions
Barzaga was previously suspended for 60 days after the House adopted Committee Report No. 28 on December 1, 2025. That report found him liable for disorderly behavior, including posting incendiary content and retaining publicly viewable inappropriate material in violation of House Rules and Republic Act No. 6713.
The earlier report carried a clear warning that any repetition of similar misconduct would merit more severe sanctions. Despite this warning, the committee found that Barzaga continued and even escalated the same conduct during his suspension period.
Defiance of Committee Proceedings
Abalos reported that Barzaga ignored formal notices to appear before the ethics committee and publicly declared he would not attend the hearing. This led the panel to declare him in default, proceeding with their investigation based on available evidence.
"This constitutes a deliberate and reasoned defiance of the authority of the House and its disciplinary process," Abalos stated while sponsoring the committee report. He emphasized that the panel would not tolerate conduct that brings the House into disgrace and contempt.
Consequences and Future Implications
The House plenary had directed the ethics committee to assess Barzaga's conduct during his initial suspension period. The panel treated the new violations as a continuation of prior misconduct rather than a separate case, leading to the recommendation for another 60-day suspension without pay.
The new suspension carries another stern warning that any further repetition of similar misconduct could warrant harsher sanctions under House rules. These could potentially include expulsion from office, representing the most severe disciplinary measure available to the chamber.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges legislative bodies face in regulating members' conduct in the digital age, particularly regarding social media use that conflicts with institutional rules and decorum expectations.
