THE chairman of the House Committee on Ethics on Tuesday pushed back against Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga’s claim that he was being “silenced” for criticizing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his administration, saying his suspension stemmed from clear violations of ethics rules and not from dissent or political views.
4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos said the findings were unambiguous and showed that Barzaga violated Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Rule 20 of the House Rules, and the standards expected of a member of Congress.
“Kung titingnan po natin ang committee report, pinarusahan po si Rep. Barzaga on three grounds. Unang-una, Republic Act 6713, of course ang ating House rules under Rule 20, and finally, conduct unbecoming of a member,” Abalos told a press conference.
Last Monday, the House plenary—acting on the ethics panel’s recommendations—suspended Barzaga for 60 days without pay and allowances after finding him guilty of disorderly behavior arising from his “reckless” and “inflammatory” social media posts.
According to Abalos, criticism of the government has never been an issue in the House.
“Ang House of Representatives, wala po sa amin kung mayroon kang oposisyon or kung hindi ka sumasang-ayon sa pamahalaan. Hindi po ‘yan problema dahil karapatan po natin ‘yan,” Abalos said.
He said the sanction arose from actions no elected official should commit, noting that none of them had anything to do with political speech.
Abalos pointed to evidence submitted to the panel, including ostentatious displays of wealth, lewd photos, and pronouncements such as burning Congress or carrying an airsoft gun to a rally.
“Ang ostentatious o pagpapakitang karangyaan, wala naman ‘yun kinalaman sa politika or political opinion. Pangalawa, ang lewd photos, ang pagpapakitang mga imahe na nakakabastos sa ating mga kababaihan. Hindi po ‘yan political criticism or speech,” he said.
He added that the committee drew a clear boundary between dissent and misconduct.
“We have to draw a line between the genuine exercises of freedom expression, ang totoong freedom of expression kumpara sa conduct unbecoming of an elected official,” he stressed.
Abalos noted that the House has long been home to lawmakers from different parties and ideological blocs who debate vigorously while maintaining respect for one another, as well as for the House’s institutional rules.
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