A new cyberlibel case was filed on Wednesday against Cavite Fourth District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, adding to a string of legal challenges linked to a social media post that accused fellow lawmakers of accepting bribes.
The complaint was lodged before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office by Manila Second District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, a member of the National Unity Party. Valeriano rejected the allegation outright, calling the claim circulating on Facebook false and damaging.
Barzaga’s post alleged that NUP lawmakers were bribed by Enrique Razon during gatherings ahead of the 2025 elections to secure support for Speaker Martin Romualdez. Valeriano denied any such dealings and challenged the basis of the accusation.
“It’s a big lie. ‘Yung sinasabi niyang ‘yun sa social media… Nakakasira ng reputasyon. Definitely hindi totoo ‘yan… Hindi rin naman ako papayag na iba-bribe mo ako para lang sa ganyang sistema,” Valeriano said.
“Kwarenta lang naman kami. Kahit hindi kami bumoto kay Speaker Romualdez noon… siya pa rin ang mananalo,” he added.
Valeriano further said the post was published “without evidence, without verification, and without accountability,” arguing that it unfairly maligned lawmakers named or implied in the claim.
The filing comes as both Razon and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno have separately initiated cyberlibel complaints against Barzaga over the same allegation. Earlier this week, Barzaga acknowledged issuing an apology to Razon but maintained that it pertained only to a personal matter.
“For the personal issue. I will still be facing him in court,” Barzaga said when asked if the apology covered the bribery accusation.
The controversy follows disciplinary action taken late last year, when the House of Representatives suspended Barzaga for 60 days after ruling that he engaged in disorderly conduct arising from what the chamber described as reckless and inflammatory posts on social media.
