After suspending Barzaga, House urged to go after ‘bigger fish’

National

SEVERAL lawmakers questioned the 60-day suspension of Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, arguing that the House should have prioritized investigating colleagues facing far more serious allegations.

During Monday’s plenary session, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste criticized the chamber for acting swiftly on Barzaga’s case while ignoring accusations that another lawmaker — a fellow Batangueño present and voting — allegedly secured over ₱100 billion in DPWH contracts.

Leviste, explaining his no vote, stopped short of naming the lawmaker but was earlier seen taking a selfie with CWS party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola, whom he has accused of “pre-ordering” DPWH projects even before congressional deliberations. He argued that Congress should not normalize serving alongside individuals facing such massive corruption allegations.

He stressed that his opposition was not a defense of Barzaga’s actions but a protest against the rushed proceedings, noting that the committee report was released the same day lawmakers were made to vote.

The House, he said, should have turned its attention to unresolved accusations tied to the infrastructure corruption scandal instead.

In a report by Inquirer.net, Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta also opposed Barzaga’s suspension, saying lawmakers must uphold each other’s right to express dissenting views.

Despite these objections, 249 House members voted to suspend Barzaga, with only five voting against and 11 abstaining. Other dissenters included Reps. Elijah San Fernando, Bong Suntay, and Robert Nazal.

Ethics committee chair JC Abalos said Barzaga’s conduct — particularly his social media posts — was “unbefitting of a House member.” He will lose his salary and allowances for the duration of the suspension. The ethics complaint, filed by National Unity Party members led by Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno, cites alleged lewd posts, displays of wealth, and materials that could reflect poorly on Congress.

Puno emphasized that the case was not about Barzaga’s political criticisms but about posts that allegedly misled the public and trivialized serious institutional issues.

Among the photos presented was an image of a scantily clad woman wrapping her legs around Barzaga’s neck.

Barzaga, previously a member of NUP, resigned in September after reportedly being accused of gathering signatures to oust then-Speaker Martin Romualdez.(Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)