FEBRUARY 5, 2026 — The House of Representatives has once again lowered the hammer on Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga, voting overwhelmingly — 238 in favor, 10 against, and nine abstentions — to suspend him for another 60 days without pay and allowances. The Ethics Committee recommended the sanction after Barzaga repeatedly ignored hearings on new accusations against him, choosing instead to post defiant messages on social media.

As mentioned, this is not his first suspension. Just last December, Barzaga was penalized for “inappropriate social media posts and misconduct.” Now, the House has doubled down, citing his refusal to cooperate with the committee and his continued attacks against fellow lawmakers.

Ethics Committee Chair JC M. Abalos explained that Barzaga had been repeatedly notified but chose to dismiss the summons. 

In fact, Barzaga himself posted, “I will be ignoring the summons of the ethics committee. Expel me if they want, but the Philippine Congress has done nothing but destroy the lives of the Filipino people.”

That statement alone shows the kind of defiance that has landed him in hot water. Instead of facing the accusations, he doubled down, insisting he had no regrets over his posts. 

“I wouldn't have done it, if I would have regretted it either way,” he told reporters.

The accusations against him are serious. Barzaga alleged that his former National Unity Party colleagues accepted bribes from shipping magnate Enrique Razon during the July 2025 speakership race won by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. 

He also accused the late Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop of corruption in flood control projects — without providing evidence. These claims have since triggered cyberlibel complaints from Razon and several lawmakers.

While some allies, including members of the Duterte bloc, defended him by saying political speech should not be punished, the House majority clearly saw his actions as misconduct. 

Rep. Janette Garin admitted she voted “yes with a heavy heart,” noting her attempts to guide Barzaga were met with defiance. SAGIP Partylist Rep. Marcoleta, meanwhile, warned that the suspension punishes not just Barzaga but also the people of Dasmariñas, Cavite, who lose their voice in Congress for two months.

But discipline in Congress is necessary. Lawmakers are expected to uphold standards of conduct, and ignoring the Ethics Committee is no small matter. Barzaga’s suspension is not about silencing dissent — it’s about enforcing accountability. If he truly believes in his accusations, the proper venue is the courts, not Facebook posts or press soundbites.

At the end of the day, Barzaga’s case is a reminder that freedom of speech comes with responsibility, and accountability cannot be dodged by defiance.

Do you believe these repeated suspensions will finally teach Barzaga a lesson — or is this all just another joke to him?

(Image: Kiko Barzaga | Facebook)