The House of Representatives approved a second 60-day suspension without pay for Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, proceeding with disciplinary action despite objections from lawmakers aligned with the Duterte bloc.
Duterte-aligned lawmakers opposed the renewed sanction, arguing it was excessive and undermined the will of voters. In a letter to Speaker Martin Romualdez, Davao Reps. Paolo Duterte, Omar Vincent Duterte, Isidro Ungab, and PPP Rep. Harold James Duterte said decisions by the House ethics committee should not override the mandate given to Barzaga by thousands of Cavite voters.
They also questioned the ethics panel’s authority to rule on disputes arising from Barzaga’s statements, saying that alleged defamation or legal harm should be addressed in court rather than by the House committee.
The objections followed new complaints filed over Barzaga’s social media activity after his initial suspension. Barzaga was first suspended for 60 days without pay in December 2025 after the House adopted the Committee on Ethics’ finding that he committed disorderly conduct linked to online posts.
Concerns over additional statements he allegedly made after the initial ruling prompted another complaint and a reopening of ethics proceedings. The committee conducted hearings and deliberations before recommending another disciplinary penalty.
The House later adopted the recommendation, imposing a second 60-day suspension that removes Barzaga from House duties and bars him from receiving salary and allowances during the penalty period. Supporters of the sanction cited posts they said violated House rules, including statements directed at fellow lawmakers and private individuals.
Despite objections, the disciplinary process moved forward through committee review and plenary approval, with Barzaga set to serve another suspension as the House enforces its rules on member conduct.
