House lawmakers gathered in the plenary hall on Friday morning, September 25, to pay tribute to Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr., a physician remembered by colleagues for his work on health legislation. A necrological service was held for Gato at the House plenary that morning, where colleagues credited him for bringing his medical background to Congress and for his health measures.
Outside the chamber, a former member was treating the death very differently. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, who lost his Cavite 4th District seat in June, took to Facebook to frame Gato’s passing as a blow to the camp pushing Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment. According to Interaksyon, Barzaga wrote, “Good News: Pro-Impeachment Batanes Congressman Ciriaco Gato Jr. is now gone!” and called it another win in what he described as a political war.
A separate post, which Barzaga presented as his statement, tied Gato’s death directly to his own ouster from Congress:
“Nakakaawa si Batanes Congressman Gato eh, inexpel niya ako sa Kongreso, pero asan na siya ngayon?… Patay! Habang ako chill lang, swimming lang dito sa China kasama mga eabab ko nyahahahaha! God Bless the Filipino people.”
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Barzaga also posted that the death was good news and referred to Gato as a crocodile, while the Manila Bulletin noted that he suggested the late lawmaker was corrupt without presenting any proof.
Gato, 66, died on Monday, September 21, reportedly of cardiac arrest, while serving his third and final term. An ear, nose and throat specialist before entering politics, he had represented Batanes since 2019 and chaired the House Committee on Health. He was also among the lawmakers who took part in the vote that removed Barzaga from the House.
That vote came on June 2, when the chamber adopted the ethics committee’s recommendation 265-14, with eight abstentions, finding Barzaga guilty of disorderly behavior, conduct unbecoming of a member, and violations of the House Code of Conduct. He had already been suspended twice for 60 days, in December 2025 and February 2026, over offensive social media posts against fellow lawmakers. Posts he made attacking the late Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop after that lawmaker’s death were among the conduct cited in the second suspension.
The latest posts drew sharp words from members of the National Unity Party, the group co-founded and headed by Barzaga’s late father, former Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, which the younger Barzaga left in September 2025.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said in a text message to reporters, “Talagang bastos ‘yan,” adding that the conduct was hurting the legacy of Barzaga’s father, whom he described as capable and upright.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, asked about the posts at a press conference on Friday, invoked Barzaga’s family ties to Congress. Barzaga’s mother, Jenny Barzaga, was recently elected to the seat.
“Para sa isang nepo baby, bastos siya,” Chua said.
