NUP to sue Kiko Barzaga over claims of bribery for Romualdez

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January 13, 2026 | 2:02pm

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Kiko Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District) has already been suspended in the House of Representatives for behavior deemed “unbefitting of a lawmaker.” Now, he may have to face a legal complaint in court over his social media posts.

House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, who chairs the National Unity Party, said on Tuesday, January 13, that he and other members of the party will pursue legal action against Barzaga for allegedly maligning them amid ongoing corruption probes.

“We will see him in court,” he said in a statement.

Puno was referring to Barzaga’s claims that NUP members accepted bribes from tycoon Enrique Razon to back former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the 2025 midterm elections.

Barzaga made the allegation on January 9, according to news reports, but the post has since been deleted from his Facebook page.

NUP denies bribery claim

Screenshots archived by Balita Online show that Barzaga also shared an image of an alleged Viber conversation with an NUP official, in which he was asked to sign a statement expressing support for Romualdez’s speakership bid for the 20th Congress.

Puno, however, argued that Romualdez’s speakership was not contested by any other member when he was elected in July 2025. 

“To claim that bribes were paid in a situation where there was no contest at all defies logic,” he added, describing Barzaga’s allegations as “baseless, reckless and malicious.” 

The deputy speaker, who was also the one who filed an ethics complaint against Barzaga that got him suspended, said the difference is “this time, he chose to malign the entire party.” 

Puno also wanted to remind Barzaga that the party was once chaired by Barzaga’s own father, former Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.

More cases loom

“He chose to malign all members of the NUP, a party once led by his own father and one that he himself joined. To turn around and accuse the NUP of criminal conduct, without evidence, shows a reckless and deeply irresponsible contempt for the truth,” he added.

In a Facebook post, Barzaga responded to Puno, saying he will deliver a privilege speech upon returning from his suspension in February, during which he plans to present what he described as “evidence” supporting his bribery claims against the NUP.

Barzaga was suspended for 60 days after the House voted 249-5-11 to enforce the ethics committee’s recommendation, which found him guilty of disorderly conduct over “offensive” and “malicious” posts made on December 1.

The lawmaker has also shared disinformation online, with multiple posts later debunked by fact-checkers for making misleading and false claims about the corruption investigation.

The National Unity Party (NUP) has likewise asked the ethics committee to review whether Barzaga remains fit to resume his legislative duties by January 30, citing his continued posting of “baseless” allegations against the House.

His other posts included calls for President Ferdinand Marcos to resign, as well as responses containing unsubstantiated accusations whenever the administration would defend government officials implicated in the controversy.

Separately, Barzaga is also facing a criminal complaint filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for allegedly inciting sedition and rebellion.