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February 4, 2026 | 5:44pm
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has imposed another 60-day suspension on Rep. Kiko Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District) for continued disorderly behavior, adopting the recommendation of the ethics committee.
During this period, Barzaga will again be barred from performing official duties and will not receive two months' worth of salary or allowances.
After the ethics committee presented its findings on Wednesday, February 4, the plenary voted 238 in favor of the suspension, 10 against and nine abstained.
The decision came after the ethics committee reviewed Barzaga's conduct and social media posts during his suspension, which began on Dec. 1, 2025.
This was prompted by complaints from the National Unity Party and a privilege speech by Rep. Rolando Valeriano (Manila, 2nd District) over Barzaga's accusations that the party accepted bribes from tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. to back Rep. Martin Romualdez's speakership bid in the 20th Congress.
House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, who chairs the NUP, had originally sought Barzaga's expulsion through a new ethics complaint over the bribery allegations and for making "demeaning" remarks about public officials like Rep. Romeo Acop (Antipolo, 2nd District), who died in December.
"While serving his suspension, however, the committee took note that Rep. Barzaga committed similar acts for which he was sanctioned," Ethics Committee Chair Rep. JC Abalos (4Ps Party-list) told the plenary.
He added that the committee agreed substantial evidence shows that Barzaga once again violated House rules governing member conduct, describing how his social media posts during his first suspension constituted "disorderly behavior" that reflected poorly on the House's dignity, integrity and reputation.
"The committee condemns Rep. Barzaga's brazen disrespect for its authority. All members of the House of Representatives have the sworn duty to respect the committee on ethics' rule of procedure and the authority of the House of Representatives to conduct its disciplinary process," Abalos said.
Barzaga had just returned from his first suspension on January 30, after the committee earlier found him guilty of disorderly conduct over what it described as "offensive" and "malicious" social media posts.
He refused to attend the recent hearing despite the ethics committee's summons, stating in a post that he does not care about his possible expulsion and accusing Congress of only "destroying the lives of the Filipino people."
Abalos said the suspension is a "stern warning" that repeated misconduct may result in harsher penalties, up to expulsion.
Barzaga currently faces several cyberlibel complaints, one from Razon and others from NUP members, as well as inciting-to-sedition and rebellion charges filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
