Barzaga retracts bribery allegations, ready to apologize to Razon

National

CAVITE Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga has announced his intention to personally apologize to business tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. for accusing him of bribery, admitting that his controversial statements were fueled by a personal grudge.

During an appearance on the TNT Podcast hosted by columnist Ramon Tulfo and lawyer Clint Aranas, the lawmaker expressed "personal regret" when asked by a netizen if he lamented his decision to challenge the billionaire businessman.

The conflict began when Barzaga accused Razon of bribing members of the National Unity Party (NUP) to ensure Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez retained his post as House Speaker for the 20th Congress.

In response to these allegations, Razon filed a cyberlibel lawsuit against Barzaga on January 14, seeking P110 million in moral and exemplary damages for the harm caused to his reputation and the resulting emotional distress.

In a report by Inquirer.net, Barzaga explained that his resentment toward Razon developed after the businessman failed to attend the wake of his father, the late Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. The lawmaker noted that his father believed he and Razon were close, and the businessman's absence felt like a personal slight.

"I was actually looking forward to seeing him in my father’s funeral, but he was not there, so I was wondering why, and then eventually that turned into a personal grudge against Razon because I was wondering why, he was so close to my father, or my father believed he was so close to him, but he didn’t even bother to show up,” he said.

However, Barzaga’s perspective changed after discovering a letter his father had written to Razon before passing away. In the correspondence, the elder Barzaga expressed his appreciation for their working relationship but specifically requested that Razon stay away from the funeral. The late congressman cited health risks, noting that as a senior citizen, Razon should avoid potential exposure to COVID-19 or other illnesses at the gathering.

“I was shown Cong. Pidi’s letter to Razon and [in it, he told] Razon he was thankful, he appreciates the opportunity being able to work with him, and he also told Razon not to go to his funeral because it’s a health risk, because he’s also a senior citizen and he might get COVID or something,” the younger Barzaga said

The younger Barzaga admitted that seeing his father’s letter forced him to reconsider his stance. Despite this planned apology, the lawmaker continues to face significant professional repercussions.

Barzaga is currently serving a 60-day suspension for inflammatory social media remarks, and NUP leadership has suggested he may face permanent removal from the House.(Jhon Mark A. Aboabo, USJR Comm Intern)