Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno on Tuesday condemned a social media post by suspended Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga, who accused members of the National Unity Party (NUP) of receiving bribes to support the speakership of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Puno, who chairs the NUP, rejected the allegation, stressing that Romualdez’s election during the opening of the 20th Congress in July last year was uncontested.
“The Speaker (Romualdez) ran unopposed. There was no contest. To claim that bribes were paid in a situation where there was no contest at all defies logic,” Puno said.
Barzaga earlier claimed that businessman Enrique Razon allegedly bribed NUP members to back Romualdez’s speakership bid.
Puno said the accusation unfairly maligns the party, which Barzaga himself once belonged to and was previously led by his late father, former Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr.
“He chose to malign all members of the NUP, a party once led by his own father and one that he himself joined. To turn around and accuse the NUP of criminal conduct, without evidence, shows a reckless and deeply irresponsible contempt for the truth,” Puno said.
The NUP leader said he would pursue legal action to defend the party and its members.
“I will be filing cases against him,” Puno said. “Other NUP members who were similarly maligned will be filing their own cases as well.”
“We will see him in court,” he added.