APRIL 30, 2026 — Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga has officially joined PDP Laban, taking his oath on April 29, 2026, at the party’s headquarters in Sta. Mesa, Manila. His move comes amid ongoing suspensions and ethics complaints in the House, making this shift both a political realignment and a personal gamble.

It’s official: Kiko Barzaga, once with the National Unity Party (NUP), is now a full-fledged member of PDP Laban after completing the party’s Basic Membership Seminar. Photos of the oath-taking ceremony circulated online, with Barzaga himself posting, “Congressman Kiko Barzaga is now an official member of the PDP-Laban! #Duterte2028.”

This move is more than just a change of colors. PDP Laban, still carrying the Duterte brand, has been positioning itself for 2028, and Barzaga’s entry adds another name to its roster of loyalists. 

But let’s not forget — Barzaga’s political journey has been rocky. He was expelled from NUP after internal disputes and has faced repeated suspensions in the House for disorderly conduct, particularly over controversial social media posts.

Barzaga’s troubles with the House ethics panel are well-documented. In December 2025, he was suspended for 60 days without pay for disorderly behavior. By February 2026, another 60-day suspension followed, citing “utter contempt for institutional standards.” He insists these penalties are distractions from the bigger issue: alleged irregularities in flood control projects. 

“This is still pushing the issue away from the flood control … as well as the rampant corruption that we see within the government right now,” he said.

Despite the sanctions, Barzaga remains defiant. 

“If I were to regret it, then I would not have said it in the first place. Every congressman must be investigated for their involvement, since this (not only implicates) one congressman but the House as a whole,” he declared.

For Caviteños and the broader public, Barzaga’s move raises questions about accountability and political survival. Joining PDP Laban could be seen as a strategic shield, aligning with a party that thrives on populist energy and Duterte’s enduring influence. But it also highlights how embattled politicians often find refuge in bigger political machinery, even while facing unresolved ethical issues.

In the end, this isn’t just about one congressman switching parties — it’s about how political affiliations in the Philippines often serve as lifelines when reputations are under fire.

Is Barzaga’s leap to PDP Laban a calculated move or just a desperate grasp for relevance? Did he just play the smartest card in the deck — or the last card he had left?

(Image: PDP Laban | Facebook)