Manila lawmaker files cyberlibel case against Cavite's Barzaga over bribe post

LocalPolitics
21 Jan 2026 • 10:24 AM MYT
The Manila Times
The Manila Times

One of the longest-running English broadsheets in the Philippines

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MANILA, Philippines — Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano on Wednesday filed a cyberlibel case against Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga at  the city's prosecutors' office over a social media post accusing National Unity Party lawmakers of receiving bribes in exchange for political support.

The post dated Jan. 9 said that “NUP congressmen received bribes from Enrique Razon in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez.”

Valeriano's lawyer Den de Silva told The Manila Times that despite not explicitly naming the conggressman in the post, the victim was identifiable.

“The post itself alleged NUP congressmen, and since Congressman Valeriano is a member of the NUP, there are only a few congressmen that are members of the NUP—it’s around 40—so it’s very identifiable.