MANILA — The House of Representatives expelled Cavite 4th District’s Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga on Tuesday in one of the chamber’s harshest disciplinary actions against a sitting lawmaker, but the first-term congressman remained unbowed, declaring he had “no regrets” and vowing to continue his fight against what he described as a corrupt system.
The House plenary approved Committee Report No. 298 of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, expelling Barzaga by an overwhelming vote of 265 lawmakers in favor, 14 against, and eight abstentions.
The ethics panel found Barzaga liable for conduct unbecoming of a member of the House and disorderly behavior, citing a series of social media posts and actions that lawmakers said damaged the institution’s reputation.
The expulsion effectively removes Barzaga from the chamber before the completion of his term, marking one of the most severe sanctions ever imposed by the House on one of its members.
Despite the vote, Barzaga showed no signs of backing down.
“I have no regrets,” Barzaga said, adding that he prepared to “live and die” for the Filipino people.
In a social media post, the Cavite lawmaker also vowed to continue challenging what he called a corrupt political system.
“We will bring justice to this corrupt system! #CrocodileFarm,” he wrote.
Barzaga had been facing ethics complaints stemming from his online posts and alleged conduct during House proceedings.
Following his expulsion, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio publicly came to his defense through an open letter posted on social media and later shared in a statement sent to Panay News.
Duterte-Carpio described Barzaga as a politician who chose to stand by his convictions despite criticism and political pressure.
“Being different is okay,” Duterte-Carpio wrote. “It takes grit to be yourself in a world that rewards conformity. Not everyone will understand your choices or the path you take, and that’s okay. What matters is staying true to who you are and what you believe in.”
The Vice President, who said she had also often been labeled as “different,” commended Barzaga for refusing to conform to what she portrayed as political expectations.
“You are different because you have never been convicted of child abuse, never brought home ‘maletas’ of public funds, never allowed cocaine and alcohol to flow from your office, and never said yes to corruption and oppression,” Duterte-Carpio said.
She also urged the former lawmaker to remain steadfast despite his political circumstances.
“Walking alone is okay, too. It takes courage to charge forward even if no one will follow you,” she wrote.
The House leadership has yet to announce the next steps regarding the representation of Cavite’s 4th District following Barzaga’s expulsion./PN
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Expelled Cavite 4th District’s Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga vowed to continue challenging what he called a corrupt political system.
