The criminal complaints filed against Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga are now ready for resolution by a panel of prosecutors at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Barzaga submitted his counter-affidavits last Friday, January 23, in response to charges filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
DOJ Spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez confirmed that Barzaga is facing two sets of criminal complaints.
The charges stem from his October 2025 Facebook post supporting calls for Mindanao secession and the anti-President Marcos rally he led in Forbes Park, Makati City, on October 12, 2025.
For the Facebook post, Barzaga was charged with inciting to sedition under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and inciting to rebellion or insurrection under Article 138 of the RPC, as amended, in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act (RA) 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
For the rally, he was charged with tumults and other disturbances in public places under Article 153 of the RPC; alarm and scandal under Article 155 of the RPC; and violation of Batas Pambansa 880, the Public Assembly Act of 1985.
Last December, the House of Representatives suspended Barzaga without pay over his Facebook posts, which were described as “unbecoming of a House member.”
In addition, several cyber libel complaints have been filed against him, including those lodged by Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronnie Puno and billionaire businessman Enrique Razon.
The DOJ panel is expected to determine whether the charges will proceed to trial, marking a critical stage in the legal battles confronting the Cavite lawmaker.