Suspended Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga has complied with one requirement of his 60-day suspension by taking down 24 social media posts that prompted an ethics complaint from members of the National Unity Party (NUP).
The posts were removed after the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges recommended disciplinary action, which the chamber adopted on Monday.
In the complaint, Barzaga’s earlier posts were described as containing “derogatory and inflammatory rhetoric against government institutions,” using “vulgar and inappropriate language unbefitting a public official,” and promoting “divisiveness” that could weaken public trust. The content was also said to violate standards of decorum for lawmakers.
But despite deleting what he called “reckless” and “inflammatory” material, Barzaga returned to social media with new statements directly attacking President Bongbong Marcos. This time, he invoked historical parallels and cited the 1983 assassination of Ninoy Aquino under the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
He wrote: “President Marcos Senior’s downfall did not begin until the death of Ninoy Aquino, while President Marcos Jr.’s Administration is very unstable, he will not be removed until something more drastic happens, and my death may be the catalyst for that revolution.”
In another post, he added: “Sinabi nilang hindi etikal ang mga pahayag ko laban kay Pangulong Marcos pero hindi nila sinabing hindi ito totoo. Mauulit ang kasaysayan ni Marcos, hindi lang tulad ng kanyang ama, kundi pati na rin ng lahat ng iba pang diktador na nauna sa kanya! Kapag ninakawan at pinatay mo ang mga taong inatasang paglingkuran mo ayon sa konstitusyon, haharapin mo ang pagihiganti ng Diyos at ng Bayan!”
Barzaga has maintained that his criticisms fall within the bounds of public accountability and democratic expression, despite the ongoing ethics proceedings.