‘Unwell’? Young Barzaga confounds House peers
For showing unusual behavior, including a sudden declaration of his bid for speakership, Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga may soon face a complaint before the House ethics committee, according to one of his party mates in the chamber’s leadership.
In support of the complaint, past actions of the young congressman may also be brought up, including “lewd” pictures he had posted on his social media account, said Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno.
According to Puno, Barzaga barged into the office of Iloccos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, the majority leader and son of President Marcos, on Monday and tried to solicit votes in order to unseat Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Puno recounted the incident at a press briefing late Monday, saying their National Unity Party (NUP) planned to raise Barzaga’s behavior before the ethics committee.
The 27-year-old political scion from Cavite province appeared “unwell,” said Puno, a congressman representing Antipolo City.
Barzaga bolted the NUP and the House majority bloc on Wednesday last week, claiming he had “personal knowledge” of Romualdez’s alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
The lawmaker then said he left the party after being accused of soliciting signatures for the Speaker’s ouster.
Exhibit A
Puno said Barzaga would be made to answer for four possible violations: not acting in a manner that reflects creditably on the House; engaging in acts contrary to law, good morals, customs, and public policy; conduct that incites seditious activity; and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and unbecoming of a member of Congress.
To boost the case against Barzaga, Puno said, social media photos showing the young lawmaker in “lewd” situations or making an ostentatious display of wealth will be used as evidence.
He cited one photo of Barzaga with a woman’s thigh wrapped around his neck, and another showing him flashing thick wads of cash.
“He is a congressman yet he is using his official website to say these things,” Puno said.
‘Sit down’
Recounting the scene at Representative Marcos’ office, Puno said Barzaga entered the room around noon, asked the people to “sit down” and went on to talk about his plans for Congress should he became the next Speaker.
He approached the other lawmakers present, saying ‘You, if you will join me; I will make you deputy speaker.’ That was how he talked,” recalled Puno.
“It seems that he is not well, you know? And I think everybody is seeing that. It seems that all is not right [with him],” he added. “Everybody was shocked.”
Those inside the room just let Barzaga talk and did not ask him to leave. The Cavite lawmaker eventually stepped out when nobody took his offer, Puno said.
Political scion
Barzaga was next seen approaching other lawmakers during the plenary session to gather support for his speakership bid, he added.
Puno admitted that the NUP allowed Barzaga to be a party member in deference to his father’s history with the organization.
Kiko is the son of the late Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga, one of the founding members of NUP and an longtime figure in Cavite politics.
After Elpidio’s death, NUP welcomed the younger Barzaga into its fold, with Puno himself signing the latter’s certificate of nomination and acceptance.
But now, Puno said, “Even if we love our children, even if we understand that they are still young… there are instances where the damage done really goes beyond (the party), so this is not a damage to NUP anymore.”
