HOUSE EXPELS CAVITE CONGRESSMAN KIKO BARZAGA

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 2,  expelled Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga after finding him guilty of disorderly behavior, conduct unbecoming of a member, and violations of the House Code of Conduct.

Lawmakers voted 265 in favor, 14 against, and eight abstained, adopting Committee Report No. 298, which found Barzaga guilty of “disruptive” and “disorderly” conduct that violated parliamentary rules.

Sponsoring Committee Report No. 298 before the plenary, House Ethics Panel chair and 4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos laid out the committee’s findings that House members are expected to uphold the dignity and integrity of the institution at all times.

Citing Section 141(a) of Rule XX of the House Rules, the committee noted that lawmakers must “act at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.”

Reading the committee report, Abalos said: “Legislators are held to a higher standard of conduct because they are elected representatives of their constituencies and leaders of their communities.”

“They are expected to demonstrate honorably the integrity of their position as Members of the House of Representatives,” the report added.

The committee further emphasized that lawmakers carry not only their own reputation but also that of the institution and their colleagues.

“Being a collegial body, each Member of the House of Representatives represents not just his name and honor, but the name and honor of their colleagues and the institution,” Abalos said, quoting the report.

The panel likewise stressed that “the exacting standards of conduct should be expected ‘at all times’, and not just when the Member is attending the plenary session, regardless if session is ongoing.”

Among those who expressed support for the committee report was Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Philip Conrad Acop, who recalled remarks previously made against his late father, former Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop.

Acop told the chamber that after his father’s death in December, his family endured attacks from a fellow member of Congress but chose not to respond publicly.

“When my father died in December, our family faced both sympathy and criticism. Some coming from a member of this very institution who falsely claimed that my father has left a legacy of greed and corruption; that he was hated by the people he swore to serve; that his death was rejoiced; and that his demise would serve as a lesson to all other congressmen,” Acop said.

“I remained silent amidst these scathing statements praying that it would simply die down not because it was true but because I knew the truth.”

Acop said his support for the committee’s recommendation was rooted not in personal grievance but in accountability and respect for the institution.

“I stand now not just as a member of my family but also a member of the House of Representatives. I stand now echoing one of the most stated lines of my father — that with authority comes accountability,” he said.

The Antipolo lawmaker also recalled the respect that he and his father had for the late Cavite congressman Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr.

“I looked up to Cong Pidi Barzaga. My late father, Cong Romeo Acop, also looked up to him. I would watch them both during committee hearings and ask my father about him. He only had kind words for Cong Pidi. This institution lost a pillar when Cong Pidi left us,” Acop said.

 But Acop said the House had a responsibility to enforce accountability regardless of personal relationships. “Today with great conviction, I state to Cong Kiko Barzaga that your legacy of ineptitude, irresponsibility, and disrespect would indeed serve as a lesson to the entire Filipino people that we deserve competent leaders,” he said.

Acop pointed out that “the House of Representatives is not a playground where whims trump the work that we are tasked to do. The mandate of a people must never be taken for granted — much more taken less that it be sacrificed for a few seconds in the spotlight.”

“This institution must never tolerate ineptitude, irresponsibility, and disrespect. In the end, we must hold ourselves to the highest of standards if we are to become true representatives of the people — a legacy we must all aspire to leave behind,” he added.