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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Speaker-wannabe Kiko Barzaga: 'I hope Sandro Marcos won't stand in my way'

Speaker-wannabe Kiko Barzaga: 'I hope Sandro Marcos won't stand in my way'

Published Sep 16, 2025 06:24 pm

At A Glance

  • Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga has once again brought up the name of Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos in his growing obsession to become House Speaker.
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (left), Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (Facebook)
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (left), Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (Facebook)


Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga has once again brought up the name of Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos in his growing obsession to become House Speaker.
In a chance interview with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 16 after the sudden suspension of plenary session, Barzaga reiterated his plan to replace Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez for the chamber's top post.
“Sa coup patago silang kumukuha ng signatures and biglaan lang na magchi-change (In a coup, signatures are collected in secret and changes are announced suddenly). But me, I’m an open person, I’m telling this now, I’m going to take Speaker Romualdez’s speakership," said the 27-year-old.
The self-proclaimed "congressmeow" from Dasmariñas City then gave special mention to Rep. Marcos, son of President Marcos.
"I hope majority leader Sandro Marcos won’t hold it against me and won’t stand in my way,” Barzaga said.
Rep. Marcos, 31, has never mentioned any desire to become Speaker of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.
On Monday, Sept. 15 Barzaga posted on his Facebook: "It will be decided this week, when the Speaker [Martin Romualdez] steps down and the seat is announced vacant, the House of Representatives will vote between Speaker Kiko Barzaga and Speaker Sandro Marcos!"
Deputy Speaker Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno, in a press conference, shared to reporters that Barzaga barged into Rep. Marcos' office at around noon.
"Sinara niya yung pintuan tapos sabi niya (He closed the door and said), 'Everybody sit down... I want to tell you about my plans for what to do with Congress. I am running for Speaker,'" said Puno, who cited the majority leader's account of what happened.
Barzaga--neither part of the House majority or minority--reportedly intended to declare the Speaker's seat vacant during Tuesday’s plenary session.
The plenary session, presided by Deputy Speaker Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, was concluded after just 37 minutes, which a good chunk of this time covered by a suspension.
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