He was found guilty of disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress.
On Tuesday, June 2, the House of Representatives expelled Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, with 265 members voting in the affirmative, 14 negative, and eight abstentions, adopting Committee Report No. 298 of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Under Section 16(3), Article VI of the Constitution, either chamber of Congress may punish its members for disorderly behavior and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its members, suspend or expel a member.
The said committee found that Barzaga’s conduct warranted the chamber’s most severe penalty after two previous 60-day suspensions “failed to deter behavior that continued to reflect negatively on the institution,” according to the lower chamber of Congress
The expulsion stemmed from a complaint filed by Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin, who accused Barzaga of disruptive conduct inside the session hall, including livestreaming and making remarks that violated parliamentary decorum.
In its findings, the Ethics panel noted that Barzaga violated both Sections 141(a) and 141(b) of Rule XX of the House Rules, which require members to act at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House and to adhere to both the letter and spirit of its rules.
The same committee also found him liable for violating Section 4(A)(b) of Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Under which, public officials are required to perform and discharge their duties with “the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill.”
After reviewing social media videos and other evidence, the panel noted, “It is clear from a single viewing of the social media videos attached to the Petition that Rep. Barzaga has indeed committed acts that obstructed the solemnity of the plenary proceedings.”
The committee likewise rejected Barzaga’s defense that the incidents were merely routine interactions among lawmakers. “Posting of the live social media posts while making noisy, sarcastic remarks with colleagues during plenary sessions are unparliamentary and not
part of normal proceedings,” it said.
The panel further found that Barzaga violated Section 97 of the House Rules governing conduct and decorum during sessions, saying his actions had the tendency to disrupt proceedings and create disorder inside the chamber.
“The session hall represents statesmanship; it is not place for unruly or disorderly conduct. The session hall deserves the respect of whoever stands within its halls,” the report stated.
Moreover, Barzaga was found to have behaved far below the standards of professionalism required of public officials “by obstructing proceedings and showing blatant disregard for parliamentary order.”
The report took note that Barzaga’s conduct inside the session hall “undermined” both the House and public confidence in government.
In recommending expulsion, the Ethics panel concluded that another suspension would no longer be an effective deterrent, as Barzaga was previously suspended in December 2025 and again in February 2026.
“With the representative having meted, in two instances, with 60-day suspensions, the Committee considers that another penalty of suspension will not likely deter the improper behavior which continuously reflects negatively on the image of the House of Representatives,” the report stated.
Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation director Atty. Melvin Matibag also submitted a complaint before the House Ethics Committee against Barzaga and noted that the agency is also looking into filing a criminal complaint against the expelled lawmaker.