MANILA — Rep. Kiko Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District), already suspended in the House of Representatives for behavior deemed “unbefitting of a lawmaker,” may face a legal complaint over social media posts accusing members of the National Unity Party (NUP) of bribery, House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said.

“We will see him in court,” Puno said, adding that he and other NUP members plan to pursue legal action against Barzaga for allegedly maligning them amid ongoing corruption probes.

In a report, it said that the complaint stems from Barzaga’s claims on January 9 that NUP members accepted bribes from tycoon Enrique Razon to support former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the 2025 midterm elections. Barzaga has since deleted the post from his Facebook page.

Screenshots archived by Balita Online also show that Barzaga shared an image of an alleged Viber conversation with an NUP official, in which he was asked to sign a statement backing Romualdez’s speakership bid for the 20th Congress. Puno, however, said the speakership was uncontested in July 2025.

“To claim that bribes were paid in a situation where there was no contest at all defies logic,” Puno said, describing the allegations as “baseless, reckless and malicious.”

Puno noted that the NUP was once chaired by Barzaga’s father, former Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., and criticized the lawmaker for allegedly maligning the entire party. “To turn around and accuse the NUP of criminal conduct, without evidence, shows a reckless and deeply irresponsible contempt for the truth,” he said.

Barzaga responded in a Facebook post, saying he will deliver a privilege speech upon returning from his suspension in February, where he plans to present what he described as “evidence” supporting his bribery claims against the NUP.

Barzaga was suspended for 60 days after the House voted 249-5-11 to enforce the ethics committee’s recommendation, which found him guilty of disorderly conduct over “offensive” and “malicious” posts made on December 1.

The lawmaker has previously shared posts later debunked by fact-checkers for containing misleading and false claims about the corruption investigation. The NUP has asked the ethics committee to review whether Barzaga remains fit to resume legislative duties by January 30, citing continued posting of “baseless” allegations.

Barzaga has also faced a criminal complaint filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for allegedly inciting sedition and rebellion.