Former party mates eye another case vs Barzaga, this time over bribery claim
The National Unity Party (NUP) plans to again take legal action against Cavite Rep. Francisco Barzaga, this time after the neophyte lawmaker accused his colleagues of taking bribes in exchange for supporting the reelection bid of then House Speaker Martin Romualdez in July under the 20th Congress.
In a statement, Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno, who also chairs the NUP, called Barzaga’s claim baseless and malicious, noting that Romualdez ran unopposed for the top House post last year.
“There was no contest. To claim that bribes were paid in a situation where there was no contest at all defies logic,” Puno stressed. Romualdez stepped down as House speaker in September following allegations linking him to questionable public works projects.
Puno said that he would file cases against Barzaga, adding that other party members who were named or implicated would also pursue legal action against him.
Barzaga, himself a former NUP member, alleged in recent social media posts and public statements that members of the party received bribes from businessman Enrique Razon in exchange for backing Romualdez.
Barzaga is the son of the late NUP party stalwart, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga. The party is the second largest in the House.
According to Puno, the younger Barzaga “chose to malign all members of the NUP, a party once led by his own father and one that he himself joined.”
Contempt for truth
“To turn around and accuse the NUP of criminal conduct, without evidence, shows a reckless and deeply irresponsible contempt for the truth,” Puno added.
On Dec. 1 last year, the House voted unanimously to suspend Barzaga for 60 days without pay based on an ethics complaint the NUP filed against him. According to the party, the lawmaker violated the code of conduct for House members and Republic Act No. 6713 for his posts on social media that incited hatred against the chamber, mocked his colleagues and showed him with a scantily clad woman, among others.
Last week, the NUP asked the ethics committee to determine Barzaga’s fitness to return to work with his suspension due to lapse next month. The party noted that he continued to use his verified and official social media accounts to “publish content that continues to reflect discreditably upon the House and undermine the ethical standards expected of members of Congress.”
It cited, among others, his posts mocking Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, who died on Dec. 20 due to a heart attack; “inflammatory political commentary,” as well as conspiracy theories about the death of former Public Works official Catalina Cabral, whose body was found at the bottom of a ravine in Benguet province on Dec. 17.
