Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga has been slapped with a 60-day suspension without pay, after an overwhelming 249 House members voted to bench the rookie lawmaker over a string of โunbecomingโ social media posts. The move follows the House ethics committeeโs report finding Barzaga guilty of disorderly behavior โ a rare disciplinary action that signals the chamberโs growing intolerance for online misconduct by its own members.
Ethics panel vice chair JC Abalos delivered the committeeโs findings on the plenary floor, citing Barzagaโs โreckless and irresponsibleโ posts that allegedly undermined the dignity of the House. Lawmakers said the images and remarks circulating on Barzagaโs public accounts were not only inappropriate but left online long after concerns were raised โ an act the committee deemed unparliamentary and damaging to the institutionโs reputation.
Barzaga, who previously said he was ready to accept whatever sanction the chamber imposed, was ordered to take down 24 flagged posts within 24 hours. The panel also issued a blunt warning: repeating the offense could trigger harsher penalties, including possible expulsion. Members of the National Unity Party initiated the complaint, noting that Barzagaโs public presence must reflect the standards expected of elected officials.
While he maintains he did not violate the Houseโs code of conduct, the decisive vote shows that his colleagues saw the matter differently. With the suspension now in effect, Barzaga is sidelined from all House work until early 2026 โ a political timeout that lands hard and demonstrates the chamberโs readiness to police its own when digital behavior crosses the line.
Screenshot from House of Representatives PH