Barzaga’s suspension extended by 60 days

February 5, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  The House of Representatives approved yesterday the recommendation of the committee on ethics and privileges, imposing another 60-day suspension on Rep. Francisco Barzaga, whose two-month suspension ended on Feb. 2.

Lawmakers voted 239-10, with nine abstentions, during the plenary session to adopt the ruling of the ethics panel, chaired by Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos of 4Ps party-list.

Abalos had reported the committee’s decision to the plenary following a closed-door hearing.

The latest administrative sanction stems from additional charges lodged against Barzaga, primarily for misconduct, now augmented by other offenses, including several complaints filed by members of the National Unity Party (NUP).

Barzaga was slapped with cyber libel charges for accusing his NUP colleagues of receiving bribes from tycoon Enrique Razon to keep former speaker Martin Romualdez in power.

NUP stalwart and Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno filed similar charges, as did Razon in Makati City and Rep. Rolando Valeriano in Manila.

Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, who presided over yesterday’s session, informed Barzaga in person that his suspension will take effect until early April, during Holy Week.

In a single-page letter dated Feb. 4 and addressed to Dy, Reps. Paolo Duterte (Davao City 1st district), Omar Vincent Duterte (Davao City 2nd district) and Harold James Duterte (Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat) protested Barzaga’s extended suspension.

“We express our strong opposition to the reported extension of suspension being pushed against Rep. Barzaga,” they stated in their “explanation of negative vote” following the closed-door hearing held on Feb. 3.

They were joined by Rep. Isidro Ungab of Davao City’s third district, a political ally of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte.

The letter was coursed through House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.

The lawmakers argued that “a handful of members of the House ethics committee should not supersede the will of the thousands of voters who elected Barzaga to represent the 4th district of Cavite.”

“His mandate comes from the people, not from shifting sensibilities of a few colleagues. Barzaga’s right to free expression is constitutionally protected. Political speech, especially when it is critical, sharp or uncomfortable, is not a punishable offense in a democratic society,” they said.

“If any party feels legally wronged or defamed, the courts of law are the proper venue, not the House ethics committee acting as arbiter of acceptable opinion,” they added.

The lawmakers reaffirmed their support for Barzaga and urged respect for his rights, as well as for the voters who chose him to represent them in Congress.

“If this committee decision is brought to the plenary for approval, we strongly object and register a no vote. Disciplinary powers must never be used to silence dissent or override the democratic choice of the people,” they said.