The House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 2, voted to expel Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga over what lawmakers described as a pattern of disruptive and disorderly behavior during legislative proceedings.
A total of 265 lawmakers voted in favor of expulsion, 14 opposed it, while eight abstained, adopting Committee Report No. 298 which found Barzaga guilty of conduct deemed to have violated parliamentary rules and undermined legislative decorum.
House Ethics Committee chair Rep. JC Abalos said Barzaga’s actions included repeated interruptions during plenary sessions, mockery of House leadership—including former Speaker Martin Romualdez—and unauthorized live broadcasts during budget deliberations.
“These include repeated interruption of plenary sessions, mockery of leadership, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and unauthorized live broadcasts during budget deliberations,” Abalos said.
Lawmakers said Barzaga’s behavior formed a sustained pattern of misconduct that disrupted proceedings and could not be corrected by earlier disciplinary actions.
Barzaga had earlier acknowledged the likelihood of his expulsion, telling colleagues he was preparing to say his goodbyes as the ethics panel moved to recommend his removal after weeks of review of his conduct and social media activity.
“Since it’s my last day in Congress, so I’m saying my goodbyes to my fellow colleagues. And I’m telling them not to steal so much,” Barzaga said.
The neophyte lawmaker had previously been suspended twice for 60 days over controversial social media posts that led to complaints from colleagues and government officials.
He also faced complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation over posts related to a Senate shooting incident, which were flagged as alleged disinformation.
House Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin said Barzaga’s case reflected repeated breaches of decorum and a pattern of disruptive conduct inside and outside the chamber.
Lawmakers who supported his expulsion said lesser penalties had failed to correct his behavior, with Abalos noting that repeated suspensions were no longer effective in preventing further violations.
Barzaga’s removal marks one of the rare expulsions in recent years under the Marcos administration. Previous lawmakers expelled from the House include former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos Sr., and former Dinagat Islands Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr.
Barzaga had also drawn attention for his online persona, where he frequently posted content portraying himself as an animal rights advocate and sometimes used a cat persona, ending posts with a “meow.”
