Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga is facing a third ethics complaint, this time filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
No less than NBI Director Melvin Matibag formally filed the complaint before the House of Representatives and appealed to the leadership to expel Barzaga from the rostrum of members.
In the complaint, Matibag cited Barzaga’s posts claiming that government forces were “fighting each other” and that the incident may have been an assassination attempt meant to force a change in the Senate leadership.
The complaint also included a screenshot of Barzaga’s alleged post claiming there were “reports of multiple dead” during a supposed gunfight inside the Senate building.
Authorities, however, said there were no casualties in the May 13 incident.
“There are nine posts na na-trace naman sa account niya. It was validated that this is the account. He’s somehow accusing the members of the NBI pumasok sa Senado to attempt an assassination of some of the senators,” Matibag said.
Matibag said Barzaga’s actions were unbecoming of a member of the House and may have violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
He said the lawmaker’s repeated false claims on social media should warrant his removal from public office.
“There’s a warning already sa kanya rin, so baka dapat ito, removal from public office already,” Matibag said.
Matibag added that the NBI is considering filing criminal complaints against Barzaga next week for alleged violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code and possible inciting to sedition.
Article 154 penalizes the malicious publication of false news that may endanger public order or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State.
Barzaga had previously been suspended twice by the House of Representatives over social media posts deemed malicious, indecent and defamatory.
He is also facing multiple cyberlibel complaints filed by businessman Enrique Razon in connection with his allegations that members of the National Unity Party were bribed to support former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.