The House of Representatives has imposed a 60-day suspension without salary and benefits on Cavite Fourth District Representative Kiko Barzaga. This disciplinary action was taken due to his "disorderly behavior" linked to a series of controversial social media posts.
Overwhelming Vote for Suspension
During the plenary session on Monday, December 1, 2025, the chamber adopted the recommendation of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The vote was decisive, with at least 249 congressmen voting in favor of Barzaga's suspension. Only five voted against it, while eleven abstained from voting.
The ethics panel, chaired by 4Ps Party-list Representative JC Abalos, issued a stern warning to Barzaga. They stated that a repetition of similar violations would result in more severe disciplinary action. Abalos emphasized that Barzaga's actions had a negative impact on the dignity, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives as an institution and its members.
Content of the Controversial Posts
The complaint against Barzaga centered on inflammatory content he shared on his social media accounts. As part of the penalty, he was ordered to delete the offending posts within 24 hours. The content in question included a crude photograph of a woman with her foot wrapped around her neck.
Other posts featured Barzaga boasting about his wealth and contained strong criticisms directed at the administration. His targets specifically included President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Barzaga's Defiant Response
In a statement following the decision, Barzaga said he accepted the committee's ruling "with his whole heart." However, he remained defiant in his political stance.
"I maintain my stance that President Marcos must be held accountable for his crimes," Barzaga stated. "Too many people have died, and too much money was plundered from the Filipino people for us to stand down now."
He added that any punishment he or other critics face is inconsequential compared to the goal of holding the President accountable. Barzaga concluded by implying that saving lives and futures depended on President Marcos leaving Malacañang.
This suspension marks a significant disciplinary action within the 19th Congress, highlighting the ongoing tensions between administration allies and critical opposition voices.
