MANILA, Philippines — A Makati court has issued a warrant of arrest against Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Austria Barzaga over eight counts of cyber libel.
A copy of the warrant dated Monday, April 13, showed that Branch 147 ordered law enforcers to arrest Barzaga and bring him before the court without delay.
The court set bail at P48,000 for each count, for a total of eight counts.
The warrant, signed by Presiding Judge Karla Regina D. Valera-Chua, stated that the charges stem from an alleged violation of Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The order also directed officers serving the warrant to use at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device—or a minimum of two devices—in line with Supreme Court rules on the execution of warrants.
Barzaga, the sitting representative of Cavite’s 4th District, had earlier been suspended by the House of Representatives for disorderly behavior.