House suspends Rep. Kiko Barzaga for 60 days over 'offensive' social media posts
Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga has been suspended for 60 days for disorderly behavior in connection with his "offensive" social media posts.
The House of Representatives on Dec. 1 voted 249-5-11 to adopt the House Committee on Ethics' recommendations to sanction Barzaga. Throughout the suspension period, the neophyte lawmaker will forego salaries and allowances.
This comes after the National Unity Party, Barzaga's former party, filed an ethics complaint against him over posts that were deemed offensive and seditious. The 27-year-old congressman previously made a joke about Batasang Pambansa being burned down.
Reading from the 27-committee report, 4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos, chair of the committee on ethics and privileges, described Barzaga's social media behavior as "reckless," "inappropriate, and unbeffiting of a House member."
"Respondent’s reckless, offensive, and irresponsible use of his social media platform tarnishes the name, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives,” Abalos said.
The committee found Barzaga guilty of disorderly behavior by violating Sec. 141 (a) Rule 20 of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 4(c) of R.A. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“I wholeheartedly accept the decision of the committee. But I maintain my stance that President Marcos must be held accountable for his crimes. Too many people have died and too much money was plundered from the Filipino people for us to stand down now,” Barzaga said.
"Whatever punishment may fall upon me and others who stand against this president, who has lost his constitutional mandate of serving the people is inconsequential in relation to the number of lives and futures that will be saved once President Marcos leaves the Malacañang," he continued before he was cut off.
In another statement posted to his Facebook account, Barzaga slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. anew.
"They said my statements against President Marcos was unethical, but they never said it was untrue. Marcos will experience a repeat of history, not just like his father, but also like all the other dictators who came before him! When you steal and kill the people that you are constitutionally mandated to serve, then you will face the retribution of both God and country," he wrote.
He continues to make posts criticizing Marcos.
Barzaga, in October, missed his ethics hearing, as he was "busy" playing video games on his computer the night before.