Want scandal-hit lawmakers suspended? File complaint first, says ethics chair

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December 3, 2025 | 8:41am

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. JC Abalos (4Ps Party-list), chair of the House ethics committee, said the panel is prepared to investigate and recommend penalties for lawmakers implicated in the anomalous flood control projects, should they be found guilty. 

At a press conference on Tuesday, December 2, Abalos explained that the ethics committee can only begin probing a lawmaker if a formal complaint is filed. 

“Kapag may magfafile ng complaint sa maski sino kongresista na may kinalaman sa mga maanomalyang transaksyon pagdating sa imprastraktura o kung anoman handa po kaming sagutin ‘yan sa Committee on Ethics,” he said. (If anyone files a complaint against any congressman regarding anomalous transactions in infrastructure or anything else, we are ready to respond to it before the Committee on Ethics.)

This came after the House suspended Rep. Kiko Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District) for 60 days upon the ethics committee’s recommendation, following a complaint filed by members of the National Unity Party. 

While Barzaga accepted the committee’s recommendation, he and some other members argued that it does not make sense for his suspension to come before those implicated in the corruption scandal. 

Cases are acted on, once complaints exist

Abalos countered that Barzaga's suspension for disorderly behavior is separate from, and does not prevent, action on corruption cases.

He added that an ethics complaint against former Rep. Elizaldy Co had already been filed as early as September, but the committee lost jurisdiction after Co refused to return to the chamber and later resigned.

The ethics committee, Abalos said, would even act on complaints filed against Rep. Edwin Gardiola (CWS Party-list), who faces allegations of pre-ordering infrastructure projects to favor certain construction firms. 

However, ethics complaints against Gardiola and other lawmakers have yet to be filed. 

Filipinos may not realize that any citizen can file an ethics complaint. A complaint does not need to be endorsed by a lawmaker. “Any citizen, any member of the House, motu proprio, posible ‘yan (that’s possible),” Abalos said. 

While the ethics panel can technically initiate its own investigation, Abalos said it avoids doing so because the committee functions as a quasi-judicial body.

“You cannot be judge and prosecutor at the same time,” Abalos said. “At the same time, ako po ay isang presiding officer ng committee.”

Despite this, Abalos said any complaint filed by a member of the ethics committee will still be considered and voted on by the panel. For now, they’re simply waiting for complaints to be filed.

“Nag-aabang lang naman kami. Kung anong complaint na isasampa sa aming committee, sasagutin po namin ‘yan,” he said. (We’re just waiting. If any complaint is filed before our committee, we will address.)

He said he would prioritize cases if he could, but he does not want to make premature remarks that could undermine trust in the committee.

Allegations unfiled. A number of House members have been publicly accused of receiving kickbacks or maintaining ties with contractors linked to the flood control schemes. They include former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Rep. Jojo Ang, Rep. Jernie Nissay, Rep. Tina Pancho, Rep. Joseph Lara, Rep. Francisco Matugas, and Rep. Noel Rivera.

To date, none of the allegations against them have been brought before the ethics panel.