Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga said he is ready to face the House Ethics Committee after Deputy Speaker and Antipolo 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno filed an ethics complaint against him.
In an ambush interview on Monday, October 13, Barzaga asserted that he is prepared for any hearing.
“I prefer not to settle because I want to try to have a hearing and to try my defense there,” Barzaga said.
The veteran lawmaker added that he had long anticipated possible repercussions since he began opposing former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“I’m ready for anything. When it all started, when I fought against Romualdez, I was fully expecting to die, but kung sanctions lang naman edi that’s much better than dying,” he said.
Barzaga added that he would accept any consequence—even removal or imprisonment.
“Yes, suspensions, removal, imprisonment, those are all possible but that’s fine,” he noted.
Barzaga made headlines in September when he resigned from the National Unity Party (NUP) after Puno allegedly linked him to a signature campaign to oust Romualdez.
Following his resignation from NUP and departure from the House majority bloc, Barzaga repeatedly criticized Romualdez, saying he now feels free to speak without party pressure.
“I supported Speaker Romualdez due to this, though now that I am free from my party’s constraints, I suggest that he must be investigated for any anomalies involving Flood Control Public Funds,” Barzaga said.