Business tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. on Wednesday challenged Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga to publicly explain the source of his wealth, pointing out that the lawmaker comes from a family whose background is solely in politics.
“Barzaga should explain where their wealth comes from. He is a politician from a family that is only in politics,” Razon said.
“How did they become wealthy? Where does the cash that he posts in pictures come from? He belongs in another kind of institution, not Congress,” he added.
Razon made the remarks as he filed two counts of cyber libel against Barzaga, who had accused him of bribing members of the National Unity Party (NUP) to back the reelection of then-House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez.
Barzaga is the son of the late Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. and Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Barzaga.
NUP chair and Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno dismissed the allegations as illogical, noting that Romualdez ran unopposed for the speakership at the opening of the 20th Congress last July. Puno said he and other NUP members would pursue legal action against Barzaga.
Last month, the House of Representatives voted 249–0 to suspend Barzaga for 60 days without pay for misconduct, including posting photos with scantily clad women and flaunting large amounts of cash and luxury items on social media.