NUP vows raps vs ex-member Barzaga over 'false' claims

The National Unity Party (NUP), the second-largest political party in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday vowed to file charges against its former member, Dasmariñas Rep. Kiko Barzaga, over his now-deleted Facebook post accusing NUP members of receiving bribes from businessman Enrique Razon.

House Deputy Speaker and NUP chairman Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno issued the statement in reference to Barzaga’s January 9 Facebook post, which claimed 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 [of Leyte].”

“The allegations are baseless, reckless, and malicious. The Speaker ran unopposed. There was no contest. To claim that bribes were paid in a situation where there was no contest at all defies logic,” Puno said.

“We will see him in court, since he chose to malign all members of the NUP—a party once led by his own father and one that he himself joined,” he added.

Puno was referring to Barzaga’s late father, former Dasmariñas Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, one of the founding members of the NUP.

“To turn around and accuse the NUP of criminal conduct without evidence shows a reckless and deeply irresponsible contempt for the truth. I will be filing cases against him," he said.

"Other NUP members who were similarly maligned will be filing their own cases as well,” the lawmaker added.

Sought for comment, Barzaga said his allegations have merit. 

“I will reveal the evidence once I return to Congress," Barzaga told GMA News Online.

Romualdez was reelected Speaker in July 2025 without contest, receiving 269 votes after his nomination was supported by the following political parties:

• Party-list Coalition, represented by TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza
• Lakas-CMD, represented by Quezon Rep. Jayjay Suarez
• Nationalist People’s Coalition, represented by Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga
• Nacionalista Party, represented by Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Emano
• National Unity Party, represented by Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno
• Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, represented by Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos

Romualdez, however, stepped down as House leader in September 2025 after being linked to anomalous flood control projects. He was later replaced by Partido Federal ng Pilipinas member and Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Department of Public Works and Highways have recommended the filing of plunder and graft complaints against Romualdez before the Office of the Ombudsman over his alleged involvement in the flood control projects.

The Ombudsman, however, has yet to file charges before the Sandiganbayan.

Romualdez has maintained that he is innocent of the accusations and said his conscience is clear.

Barzaga, on the other hand, resigned from the NUP when coup rumors vs. Romualdez were raging in early September 2025.—MCG, GMA Integrated News