(UPDATE) DEPUTY Speaker and Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno has filed a criminal case for cyber libel against Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga after the neophyte lawmaker alleged that ports and casino magnate Enrique Razon bribed members of the National Unity Party (NUP) in exchange for supporting former speaker Martin Romualdez.
The case was filed Tuesday at the Antipolo City Prosecutor’s Office.
In a statement, Puno said Barzaga’s Jan. 9 post “falsely imputes the commission of a serious crime” and was made publicly through Barzaga’s verified Facebook page, “Congressman Kiko Barzaga,” which has 1.9 million followers. He added that the post was amplified through online news sites and social media pages, widening its reach and impact.
Puno’s complaint traces the dispute to a prior ethics case against Barzaga that was filed by Puno and 28 other House members for alleged violations of House rules and Republic Act 6713 in relation to social media posts “containing scurrilous attacks against government institutions and officials constituting conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress.” The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges later issued a committee report finding Barzaga guilty of “disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a member of the House,” resulting in a 60-day suspension without pay and a warning that any repetition of the offense would lead to more severe disciplinary action.
Despite this action, Puno said Barzaga published the Jan. 9 post while still under suspension, which the complaint describes as retaliation against him and other NUP members who initiated the ethics proceedings.
“Actions have consequences, especially when they are malicious and clearly intended to destroy reputations without any basis. 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,” he said.
Puno said Barzaga’s post satisfies the elements of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act 10175, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 10951. It cites the imputation of bribery as a criminal offense and asserts that the statement was made publicly, maliciously, and through a computer system.
He added 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 earlier denied receiving any bribes from Razon or other persons.
Razon also filed a cyber libel complaint against Barzaga on Jan. 14 at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office, where he is seeking P100 million in moral and exemplary damages.
Meanwhile, Barzaga has apologized “personally” to Razon and said he is ready to accept any consequences in his case, noting that his statements against Razon stemmed from “personal regret.”
