The House of Representatives has approved its Ethics Committee’s recommendation to suspend Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga after finding him guilty of disorderly behavior on Monday, December 1.
With 249 voting in favor, five voting against, and 11 abstaining, the House imposed a 60-day suspension on Barzaga over “offensive” and “malicious” social media posts and conduct deemed unbecoming of a public official, reported RH 12 Milky Rigonan.
The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges’ recommendation is contained in Committee Report 28, read before the plenary by its chair, 4P’s Party-list Rep. JC Abalos.
“The committee finds the subject social media post of the respondent to be inflammatory and with the tendency to unjustifiably incite public distrust with the government and House of Representatives,” Abalos read.
The committee’s decision is based on a complaint filed by the National Unity Party (NUP), led by House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno.
Although Barzaga accepted the decision, he held firm to his belief that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must resign.
“I wholeheartedly accept the decision of the House, but I maintain my stance that President Marcos must be held accountable for his crimes,” the congressman said.
“Whatever punishment may fall upon me and others who stand against this President who has lost his Constitutional Mandate of serving the people is inconsequential in relation to the amount of lives and futures that will be saved when President Marcos leaves Malacañang,” he added.
The five who voted against Barzaga’s suspension are Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal, Sagip Party-list Rep. Henry Paolo Marcoleta, Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando, Quezon City 4th District Representative Jesus “Bong” Suntay, and Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste.
Barzaga is also currently in hot water with the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), which filed a criminal complaint against him for allegedly inciting sedition and rebellion. Previously, he was removed from the army reserve force.
