DEPUTY Speaker and Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno said they will file another ethics complaint against suspended Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, this time seeking his expulsion from the House of Representatives over repeated taunts against the lower chamber.
Barzaga has been suspended since December for “disorderly conduct” related to several social media posts.
In a virtual press briefing Friday, Puno, also chairman of the National Unity Party (NUP), said Barzaga has continued to mock Congress despite his suspension, noting that he has not learned from his actions.
“He is mocking Congress, so I think we will bring it up to Congress to consider it. Maybe we can expel him because it doesn’t look as if there’s going to be any end to this problem unless he is removed,” Puno said.
Puno also said at least 40 members of the NUP, including himself, are set to file additional libel charges against Barzaga for his statements alleging the party was bribed by ports magnate Enrique Razon to vote for then-speaker Martin Romualdez.
Razon earlier filed a P110-million suit against Barzaga in Makati City on Wednesday.
Puno said Razon helped him in 2004 when they were organizing the former Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino, and again in 2009 when the NUP was formed.
“He advises me on who to talk to. If I don’t know the person, he will call and introduce me,” Puno said, adding that he speaks with Razon about once a month.
“And we only meet if I am given the chance to meet him to consult about different things,” the lawmaker added.
Puno said Barzaga’s claims were “disheartening” and “sad” to see and that, rather than being a distraction, it would be better for him to be expelled from Congress.
Puno also said they plan to dissolve the NUP’s Dasmariñas chapter, noting that it should be led by the sitting lawmaker in the district.
In a Facebook post, Barzaga said he would accept a possible expulsion only if “those involved in the flood control anomalies will face the same consequences.”
Meanwhile, Puno reiterated that he remains in full support of Speaker Faustino Dy III amid rumors of a House coup.
“You know, I am in full support of Speaker Bojie Dy. Probably my name is being floated because they know I help him. I think it is not the right time for that talk,” he said.
Puno added he is not interested in the speakership and that Dy’s leadership is “stable and secure.”