Barzaga to apologize to Razon, admits grudge fueled bribery accusation
Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga has vowed to personally apologize to business tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. for accusing him of bribery, admitting his statements were fueled by a personal grudge.
Barzaga, during the TNT Podcast of columnist Ramon Tulfo and lawyer Clint Aranas that aired on Monday, was asked by a netizen if he regretted going up against Razon.
The lawmaker earlier accused the businessman of bribing his former party mates at the National Unity Party (NUP) to help Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez retain his post as House Speaker under the 20th Congress in July.
Razon sued Barzaga for cyberlibel on Jan. 14, seeking P110 million in moral and exemplary damages for causing harm to his reputation and emotional distress.
Barzaga replied that he has a “personal” regret, admitting that he developed a grudge against Razon for not going to the wake of his father, former Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., despite their supposed closeness.
“I was actually looking forward to seeing him in my father’s funeral, but he was not there, so I was wondering why, and then eventually that turned into a personal grudge against Razon because I was wondering why, he was so close to my father, or my father believed he was so close to him, but he didn’t even bother to show up,” he said.
Father’s claim
Barzaga claimed his father told him that everything that happens within the NUP happens with Razon’s blessing. He added that he also learned from his father’s former staff that before the older Barzaga passed away, he had sent letters to different people, including the businessman.
In the letter to Razon, his father supposedly asked the businessman not to attend his wake, citing the possible risks to his health, being a senior citizen.
“I was shown Cong. Pidi’s letter to Razon and [in it, he told] Razon he was thankful, he appreciates the opportunity being able to work with him, and he also told Razon not to go to his funeral because it’s a health risk, because he’s also a senior citizen and he might get COVID or something,” the younger Barzaga said.
The lawmaker is currently serving a 60-day suspension due to inflammatory remarks over social media. NUP chair and House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said it may be time to have Barzaga removed from the chamber after his accusation against Razon.
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