Malacañang dismissed Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga’s claim that his 60-day suspension was politically motivated, accusing him of using President Bongbong Marcos’ name to spread disinformation.
Barzaga earlier suggested that the House decision—where 249 lawmakers voted to suspend him—was tied to his supposed criticisms of the administration.
But in a press briefing on Tuesday, December 2, PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Barzaga’s narrative is misleading.
“Unang-una po, ‘yong mga lewd photos na kaniyang pinost, hindi naman po kasama ang pangulo no’ng ito ay kaniyang ginagawa. Hindi naman kasama ang pangulo noong ito ay pinost,” Castro said.
She added that the President had no involvement in Barzaga’s alleged misinformation targeting the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“At ‘yong sinasabi niyang mga diumanong disinformation laban sa AFP… hindi rin po yata kasama ang pangulo sa kaniyang mga diumano’y disinformation,” she noted.
“So, sa ating nakikita rito, ginagamit lang ang pangalan ni Pangulong Marcos, Jr. para ma-justify ang kaniyang mga ginagawang disinformation,” Castro added.
Barzaga was suspended after the House Ethics Committee found him guilty in an ethics complaint involving inappropriate posts and alleged dissemination of misleading information.