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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Hanga ako sa kanya': Leviste admits he's a fan of Kiko Barzaga; cites Voltaire

'Hanga ako sa kanya': Leviste admits he's a fan of Kiko Barzaga; cites Voltaire

Published Oct 17, 2025 02:50 pm

At A Glance

  • Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste admitted on Friday, Oct. 17 that he's a fan of his 20th Congress colleague, "congressmeow" Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga.
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (left), Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Facebook)
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (left), Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Facebook)


Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste admitted on Friday, Oct. 17 that he's a fan of his 20th Congress colleague, "congressmeow" Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga.
Leviste voluntarily brought this up during an impromptu press conference on Friday afternoon at the House of Representatives.
During the presser, Leviste was asked for his reaction to his party-mate Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong's remarks that the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party was mulling an ethics complaint against the eccentric Barzaga.
Leviste answered: "Hanga ako sa kanya (Barzaga). And I think na kailangan ng mas maraming mga independent voices sa Kongreso (I admire him. And I think more independent voices are needed in Congress)."
Asked why the Batangueño admired Barzaga, the former went on to cite a quote that's usually attributed to French writer-philosopher François-Marie Arouet, more popularly known as Voltaire.
"Because may kasabihan si Voltaire (Because Voltaire had a saying): 'I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it," he said.
"Mabuti ang free speech at ang plurality of voices dito sa Kogreso (Free speech and plurality of voices are good here in Congress). And I would like to credit Congress for allowing other members to speak openly with different opinions," the 32-year-old Leviste further explained.
At his best, the 27-year-old Barzaga is a disruptor who has turned his social media into a massive platform for his hot takes on political issues.
However, his eccentric methods and unfiltered nature have rubbed his House colleagues and other government officials the wrong way.
He already has an existing ethic case before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. It was filed by senior members of the National Unity Party (NUP), his former political party. 
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