House leader Puno also sues Barzaga for cyberlibel
Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno has filed a cyberlibel complaint against Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga over the latter’s claim that his former party mates at the National Unity Party (NUP) were bribed by ports and gaming tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. during the vote for the speakership in the last Congress.
It was the second libel suit filed against the neophyte congressman, after the complaint lodged by Razon last week over the same issue.
Puno confirmed in a statement on Tuesday the legal action he had taken against Barzaga, who earlier alleged in social media posts that NUP members were bribed by Razon to vote for Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as Speaker.
The latest complaint was filed at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Antipolo City, which Puno represents in the House.
“Actions have consequences, especially when they are malicious and clearly intended to destroy reputations without any basis,” said Puno, who also chairs the NUP.
Others may follow
“You cannot casually accuse someone of a crime, broadcast it to millions, and expect to hide behind social media antics. We will pursue full accountability under the law,” he said, adding:
“Other NUP members who were similarly maligned are already in the process of filing their own complaints. This is not about rhetoric. As we’ve said before, this is about protecting our reputations and enforcing accountability when outright falsehoods are thrown at us.”
Puno’s complaint did not seek damages, while Razon’s demanded a total of P110 million.
But the deputy speaker said he was reserving the right to file “a separate action for damages arising from the same acts.’’
In an online interview on Monday, a day before Puno’s filing, Barzaga expressed regret over his posts about Razon and his intention to apologize personally to the businessman, now considered the richest in the country.
Barzaga said he made those statements out of a long-held grudge toward Razon after the businessman did not attend the wake of his father, former Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., despite the two supposedly being close friends.
Not about his criticism
In his statement on Tuesday, Puno recalled that he and other NUP members filed an ethics complaint against Barzaga for violation of the House code of conduct, when the Cavite congressman posted lewd photos on social media.
Puno maintained that they were not going after Barzaga because of his criticism of the government but because of his posts that seemed to trivialize issues involving the House.
Barzaga left the NUP in September after claiming, again on social media, that he was being accused of soliciting signatures for the ouster of Romualdez from the speakership.
On Dec. 1, the chamber suspended Barzaga for 60 days without pay, with 249 members voting in favor of the ethics committee recommendation to have him sanctioned for conduct “unbefitting of a House member.”
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