THE House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to expel Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga after finding him guilty of disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress.
The chamber adopted Committee Report No. 298 of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges by a vote of 265 in favor, 14 against and eight abstentions.
The House acted on the committee’s finding that Barzaga’s conduct warranted the chamber’s most severe penalty after two previous 60-day suspensions failed to deter behavior that continued to reflect negatively on the institution.
The expulsion stemmed from a complaint filed by Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin, who accused Barzaga of disruptive conduct inside the session hall, including livestreaming and making remarks that violated parliamentary decorum.
In its findings, the Ethics panel concluded that Barzaga violated Sections 141(a) and 141(b) of Rule XX of the House Rules, which require members to act at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House and to adhere to both the letter and spirit of its rules.
The committee also found him liable for violating Section 4(A)(b) of Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which requires public officials to perform and discharge their duties with “the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill.”
After reviewing social media videos and other evidence, the panel found that Barzaga’s actions disrupted the dignity and solemnity of House proceedings.
“It is clear from a single viewing of the social media videos attached to the Petition that Rep. Barzaga has indeed committed acts that obstructed the solemnity of the plenary proceedings,” the report stated.
The committee rejected Barzaga’s defense that the incidents were merely routine interactions among lawmakers.
“Posting of the live social media posts while making noisy, sarcastic remarks with colleagues during plenary sessions are unparliamentary and not
part of normal proceedings,” it said.
The panel further found that Barzaga violated the spirit of Section 97 of the House Rules governing conduct and decorum during sessions, saying his actions had the tendency to disrupt proceedings and create disorder inside the chamber.
“The session hall represents statesmanship; it is not place for unruly or disorderly conduct. The session hall deserves the respect of whoever stands within its halls,” the report said.
The committee also ruled that Barzaga’s actions fell far below the standards of professionalism required of public officials.
“By obstructing proceedings and showing blatant disregard for parliamentary order, Rep. Barzaga has demonstrated neither excellence nor professionalism but rather conduct that trivializes the legislative process and betrays a lack of devotion to the responsibilities entrusted to him as a lawmaker,” it said.
The report added that Barzaga’s conduct undermined both the House and public confidence in government.
“Rep. Barzaga’s disrespectful behavior while inside the session hall undermines the integrity of the legislative body and diminished public trust in the institution,” the committee said.
In recommending expulsion, the Ethics panel concluded that another suspension would no longer be an effective deterrent.
“With the representative having meted, in two instances, with 60-day suspensions, the Committee considers that another penalty of suspension will not likely deter the improper behavior which continuously reflects negatively on the image of the House of Representatives,” the report stated.
“Therefore, the Committee approves to recommend the imposition of the most severe penalty of expulsion from office upon Representative Francisco ‘Kiko’ A. Barzaga.”
Under Section 16(3), Article VI of the Constitution, either chamber of Congress may punish its members for disorderly behavior and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its members, suspend or expel a member.
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