MANILA — The House Committee on Ethic maintained that Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga did not receive special treatment in the handling of his suspension case, saying the panel acted on it first because a formal ethics complaint was filed.

Committee chair 4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos said the panel can only take action when jurisdiction exists, which has not been the case for lawmakers linked to alleged infrastructure anomalies.

“Ang mandato po ng Ethics Committee ay sagutin, i-try ang mga ethics complaint na isinasampa sa amin,” Abalos said in a press conference.

The House of Representatives earlier voted 249–5–11 to suspend Barzaga for 60 days without pay and allowances for disorderly behavior over his “reckless” and “inflammatory” social media posts, following the panel’s recommendation.

Abalos noted that no ethics complaints have been filed against any of the lawmakers accused of being “cong-tractors.”

“Nag-aabang lang naman po kami kung ano ang complaint na isasampa sa aming committee, sasagutin po namin ‘yan,” he said.

He added that the only prior attempt—an ethics complaint against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co—became moot after Co resigned.

“Nagkaroon kami ng initial deliberation, naging moot and academic kasi hindi na member ng House,” he said.

Abalos emphasized that corruption allegations are being investigated by the appropriate bodies, including the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which has recommended charges against several lawmakers.

“Tandaan po natin gumagawa din ng imbestigasyon ang ICI, ‘yung Ombudsman, and of course kami sa Committee on Ethics,” he said.

He said the ethics committee continues to monitor ongoing probes and is ready to hear future cases once proper complaints are filed.

“We are closely monitoring the situation because possible ethics complaints may arise. And that is why handa po kami in any given time na mag-cater sa ganitong mga klase ng kaso,” he said.

Abalos also said that while the panel may initiate motu proprio investigations, members are cautious because of its quasi-judicial functions.

“You cannot be judge and prosecutor at the same time,” he said.

He stressed that the committee has no backlog and is prepared to act as soon as jurisdiction is established.

“Ang mali po ay mali. Malaki man o maliit.”