Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga has openly declared his intention to challenge House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a move that has stirred political tensions within the chamber.
“I am going to take Speaker Romualdez’s speakership,” Barzaga said, confirming weeks of speculation about his plans. He admitted that he had been quietly gauging support among his colleagues. “I hope Majority Leader Sandro Marcos won’t hold it against me and won’t stand in my way,” he added.
Barzaga revealed he had already spoken to several lawmakers on the plenary floor. According to him, reactions have been “mixed”—with some lawmakers expressing openness to his bid, others showing support, while a number still prefer to stay behind the current Speaker. “We’re getting the numbers. We have one, two now—maybe?” he remarked, hinting at the early stages of coalition-building.
The lawmaker’s bold declaration follows reports that he had approached Majority Leader Sandro Marcos to seek backing, even offering deputy speakership positions to those who would side with him. These actions, however, have drawn criticism and prompted the National Unity Party (NUP), which Barzaga recently left, to prepare an ethics complaint against him.
Party leaders accused Barzaga of misconduct—alleging that he disrupted House proceedings with campaign-style moves, issued controversial social media posts, and engaged in behavior they described as unbecoming of a legislator. NUP chairman Ronaldo Puno previously claimed Barzaga had solicited signatures to unseat Romualdez, a charge Barzaga has denied.
