HOUSE EXPELS CAVITE REP. KIKO BARZAGA OVER 'DISORDERLY BEHAVIOR'

Photo Courtesy of Kiko Barzaga / Facebook

In a historic plenary session on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to expel Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga for disorderly behavior, marking a rare and drastic disciplinary action in Philippine legislative history.

The decision followed the adoption of Committee Report No. 298, submitted by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges. Following a rigorous floor deliberation, the chamber secured 265 affirmative votes, easily surpassing the required two-thirds constitutional threshold to remove a sitting member. Only 14 lawmakers voted against the expulsion, while 8 abstained.

Continuous Disrespect for the Chamber

The Ethics Committee, chaired by 4Ps Party-list Representative JC Abalos, stated that the penalty was triggered by Barzaga's repeated, unrepentant violations of parliamentary decorum. The panel concluded that lesser penalties, such as suspension, were no longer effective. Barzaga had already served two consecutive 60-day suspensions earlier in the congressional term for reckless and inflammatory social media behavior.

According to the committee's findings, Barzaga’s recent infractions included:

Plenary Disruptions: Walking aimlessly around the session hall and causing loud, distracting verbal outbursts during active floor proceedings.

Mockery of House Leadership: Posting a video on his official Facebook page that superimposed animated crocodiles over the faces of House leaders.

Unauthorized Live Broadcasts: Conducting unconsented Facebook Live streams directly from the plenary floor to mock ongoing national budget deliberations.

Barzaga defended his actions by claiming the videos were recorded during suspended sessions and were protected forms of political dissent. However, the Ethics Committee rejected this argument, ruling that House members are bound to maintain strict decorum at all times while inside the session hall.

Defiant Exit

Barzaga remained defiant as he exited the Batasang Pambansa complex, showing no remorse for the actions that led to his ouster. In his final statements on the House floor, he asserted that he had not stolen public funds and boldly told his remaining colleagues "not to steal anymore." He also reiterated his sharp political criticisms against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Shortly after the vote, Barzaga updated his official Facebook page to list his title as "Ex-Congressman." He told reporters he had no regrets and jokingly remarked that he might pursue a career as a veterinarian or return to full-time animal rights advocacy.

Ending a Political Era

Barzaga’s expulsion marks only the second time a lawmaker has been expelled under the current administration, following the August 2023 ouster of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.

The removal also brings an abrupt end to the Barzaga family's decades-long political hold over the 4th District of Cavite (Dasmariñas City). The congressional seat was long held by Kiko's father, the late veteran lawmaker Elpidio Barzaga Jr., before the younger Barzaga assumed office.

With the seat now officially declared vacant, the House leadership is expected to decide whether to call a special election or appoint a caretaker representative for the district for the remainder of the term.