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MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers on Tuesday, June 2, voted to expel Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga over “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior.
The decision makes him the first lawmaker in nearly three years to be removed from the House of Representatives.
Lawmakers voted 265 in favor, 14 against, and eight abstained, adopting Committee Report No. 298, which found Barzaga guilty of “disruptive” and “disorderly” conduct that violated parliamentary rules.
House ethics committee chair Rep. JC Abalos said Barzaga’s actions formed a “pattern of highly disruptive, discourteous, and disorderly behavior” that obstructed plenary proceedings and undermined legislative decorum.
“These include repeated interruption of plenary sessions, mockery of leadership, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and unauthorized live broadcasts during budget deliberations,” Abalos said.
Ahead of the vote, Barzaga had already confirmed that his expulsion was imminent, saying the ethics panel had recommended his removal after weeks of scrutiny over his social media activity.
“Since it’s my last day in Congress, so I’m saying my goodbyes to my fellow colleagues. And I’m telling them not to steal so much,” Barzaga said.
The neophyte lawmaker had been suspended twice for 60 days over social media posts that triggered complaints and accusations against fellow lawmakers and government officials.
He also faced complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation over his posts on the Senate shooting incident, which were flagged as alleged disinformation.
House Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin previously said Barzaga’s case reflected repeated breaches of decorum, noting a pattern of misconduct that included public accusations against colleagues and disruptive behavior during sessions.
Barzaga has also been at the center of multiple ethics complaints, including allegations that he linked lawmakers to the death of Iloilo Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan, who died in an accidental firearm discharge, and other inflammatory claims posted online.
Lawmakers who supported his expulsion said lesser penalties had failed to correct his behavior, with Abalos saying that repeated suspensions “will not likely deter” further violations.
Barzaga’s removal comes after a series of disciplinary actions that included suspensions, ethics probes and external complaints, marking a rare expulsion under the Marcos administration and ending his brief tenure in Congress.
Other lawmakers previously expelled from the House include former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was removed in August 2023 amid murder allegations, including the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.
Also among those expelled are former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos Sr., who was convicted of raping a minor, and former Dinagat Islands Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr., who was ousted over graft charges and the killing of his wife.
Barzaga has portrayed himself online as an animal rights advocate and at times adopted a cat persona, with his posts often ending in a “meow.”
