DEPUTY Speaker Ronaldo “Ronnie” V. Puno on Tuesday filed a criminal complaint for cyber-libel against Representative Francisco “Kiko” A. Barzaga before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Antipolo, following Barzaga’s January 9, 2026 Facebook post alleging that “NUP Congressmen received bribes from Enrique Razon in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez.”
Puno said the post falsely imputes the commission of a serious crime and was made publicly through Barzaga’s verified Facebook page “Congressman Kiko Barzaga,” which, according to the complaint, has approximately 1.9 million followers. Puno added that the post was subsequently amplified through online news sites and social media pages, widening its reach and impact.
The complaint traces the dispute to a prior ethics case before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges. On September 17, 2025, Puno and 28 other House Members filed a verified ethics complaint against Barzaga for alleged violations of the House Rules and Republic Act No. 6713 in relation to social media posts “containing scurrilous attacks against government institutions and officials constituting conduct unbecoming of a Member of Congress.”
On December 1, 2025, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges issued Committee Report No. 28, finding Barzaga guilty of disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a Member of the House, recommending a 60-day suspension without salaries and allowances, issuing a stern warning that repetition would result in more severe disciplinary action, and directing the removal of the posts subject of the case within 24 hours from adoption in plenary.
The complaint further cites the Committee’s findings that Barzaga did not deny ownership of the social media posts at issue and that the content was posted by his page editor under his instruction and approval, with Barzaga affirming that, save for miscommunication with staff, social media content published on his accounts was with his consent.
Puno said that despite the House’s disciplinary action, Barzaga published the January 9 post while still under suspension. The complaint describes the post as retaliation against Puno and the other NUP Members who previously initiated the ethics proceedings.
“Actions have consequences, especially when they are malicious and clearly intended to destroy reputations without any basis,” Puno said. “You cannot casually accuse someone of a crime, broadcast it to millions, and expect to hide behind social media antics. We will pursue full accountability under the law.”
In his complaint-affidavit, Puno argues that Barzaga’s post satisfies the elements of cyber-libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10951, citing the imputation of bribery as a criminal offense and asserting that the statement was made publicly, maliciously, and through a computer system.
The complaint also argues that Barzaga’s post is not protected by parliamentary immunity, emphasizing that cyber-libel carries a penalty exceeding six years and that the speech or debate clause does not extend to statements made outside Congress and unrelated to legislative action.
Puno has categorically denied having received any bribe from Enrique Razon or any other person, and stated that he is seeking redress for the damage caused by what he described as a false and malicious public accusation.
“Other NUP Members who were similarly maligned are already in the process of filing their own complaints,” Puno said. “This is not about rhetoric. As we’ve said before, this is about protecting our reputations and enforcing accountability when outright falsehoods are thrown at us.”
Puno also reserved the right to file a separate civil action for damages arising from the same acts
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