Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno has filed a cyber libel complaint against suspended Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga over a Facebook post accusing National Unity Party (NUP) members of taking bribes from tycoon Enrique Razon to back former Speaker Martin Romualdez in 2025.
Puno said the January 9 post falsely imputed a serious crime to NUP members and was intended to damage reputations.
“Actions have consequences, especially when they are malicious and clearly intended to destroy reputations without any basis,” Puno said.
“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 added.
He argued that the post met the elements of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, citing bribery as a criminal offense and stressing that the statement was made publicly, maliciously, and through a computer system.
Puno noted Barzaga’s Facebook account has 1.9 million followers, with the post amplified by news sites and social media pages.
He also emphasized that parliamentary immunity does not apply, as cyber libel carries a penalty exceeding six years and the speech or debate clause does not cover statements outside Congress.
“Other NUP members who were similarly maligned are already in the process of filing their own complaints,” Puno said.
“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.”
Razon has earlier filed similar complaints against Barzaga. Puno added he is reserving the right to pursue a separate civil action for damages arising from the same acts.