House ethics panel saw surge in complaints during session break, says chair

Numerous ethics complaints were filed against members of the House of Representatives during the session break, a House leader said Wednesday.

House ethics panel chairperson and 4PS Party-list Rep. JC Abalos made the announcement a day after the House plenary referred the privilege speech of Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano to the House ethics panel, which seeks additional sanctions against suspended Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga.

Valeriano argued that harsher penalties should be imposed on Barzaga for violating the terms of his existing 60-day suspension, which barred him from repeating previous transgressions.

“Throughout the break, marami po kami na-receive na ethics complaint. Hindi lamang po kay respondent [Barzaga], kundi laban sa napakaraming members ng House,” Abalos said in a press conference.
(We received numerous ethics complaints, not only against Congressman Barzaga, but also against multiple House members.)

Congress was on session break from December 23, 2025, to January 25.

“When we hold our regular meeting next week, we will ensure there are no pending cases in our docket. Everything will be tackled, everything will be deliberated," he said.

"For defective complaints, we will also give complainants a chance to correct their submissions with sworn affidavits and verified complaints,” Abalos added.

He declined to disclose which members aside from Barzaga are facing complaints.

“All cases filed before us are considered confidential. So I cannot confirm or deny the existence of any complaint. What I can confirm, though, is that the Committee on Ethics is ready to receive, handle, and process any complaint filed before us,” he said.

“And as I have said, we’ll tackle all ethics complaints next week, and we are prepared for any complaint filed before us,” he added.

Barzaga was previously slapped with a 60-day suspension without pay and other allowances for disrespectful remarks about government officials and institutions, including statements cautioning the public against burning down the Batasang Pambansa until employees and documents were evacuated.

Valeriano, however, said Barzaga did not stop there. He accused port tycoon Enrique Razon of bribing lawmakers of the National Unity Party (NUP) to vote for then-Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte.

Valeriano also cited Barzaga’s comments on the late Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, who died in December 2025.

Barzaga had said Acop is now “suffering through eternal damnation” due to alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects and that he “left the comfort of his luxurious mansion in exchange for a bit of eternal hellfire,” claiming this fate applies to all corrupt politicians.

Both Razon and Valeriano, a member of the NUP, have since filed cyberlibel complaints against Barzaga.

Barzaga has vowed to present evidence to prove his innocence in court.

“I have already stated that the evidence will be provided by my legal defense in court. Secondly, Congressman Acop’s death does not prevent him from being criticized for his actions in life," he told GMA News Online.

"The same way people like Hitler and Pol Pot are still cited as examples of populist dictators, Congressman Acop is an example of a corrupt congressman who was not able to repent and do good before his passing,” Barzaga added.

The Cavite lawmaker appeared unfazed by the possibility of extended sanctions.

“And lastly, I am no longer a member of the NUP; I am no longer subjected to the standards they uphold,” he added.—MCG, GMA Integrated News