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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Billionaire Razon sues Barzaga over claims of bribery in Congress

Billionaire Razon sues Barzaga over claims of bribery in Congress

Published Jan 14, 2026 04:34 pm
Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, and Billionaire Enrique K. Razon Jr.
Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, and Billionaire Enrique K. Razon Jr.
Billionaire Enrique K. Razon Jr. filed a cyber libel complaint against Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, alleging the lawmaker used social media to orchestrate a smear campaign linking the casino and ports tycoon to congressional bribery.
Port and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon Jr. files a cyber libel complaint against Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Razon is suing the lawmaker over social media posts alleging the billionaire orchestrated a bribery scheme involving members of Congress.
Port and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon Jr. files a cyber libel complaint against Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Razon is suing the lawmaker over social media posts alleging the billionaire orchestrated a bribery scheme involving members of Congress.
Port and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon Jr. files a cyber libel complaint against Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Razon is suing the lawmaker over social media posts alleging the billionaire orchestrated a bribery scheme involving members of Congress.
Port and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon Jr. files a cyber libel complaint against Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Razon is suing the lawmaker over social media posts alleging the billionaire orchestrated a bribery scheme involving members of Congress.
The complaint, filed on Wednesday, Jan. 14, with the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office, centers on Jan. 9 Facebook posts in which Barzaga allegedly described Razon as the “mastermind behind the corruption in Congress.”
The lawmaker claimed Razon bribed members of the National Unity Party during gatherings at the Solaire Resort & Casino to consolidate support for former Speaker Martin Romualdez ahead of the 2025 elections.
Razon, the chairman of International Container Terminal Services Inc. and Bloomberry Resorts Corp., dismissed the allegations as entirely fabricated and made with “reckless disregard for the truth.”
Barzaga is currently serving a 60-day suspension from the House of Representatives, handed down on Dec. 1, following an ethics investigation into his use of social media to post lewd and degrading content.
Razon’s filing argues that the Jan. 9 accusations crossed the threshold from political discourse into criminal defamation.
According to the affidavit, the posts reached thousands of users and were amplified by local news outlets before being deleted. Razon noted the use of the hashtag “#IkulongSiRazon” as evidence of malicious intent.
He further characterized the bribery claims as “implausible,” pointing out that Romualdez faced no opposition and secured a supermajority for the speakership, rendering any alleged payoff unnecessary. Razon maintained he has no involvement in the internal leadership dynamics of the legislature.
The complaint specifically challenges the notion of parliamentary immunity, which shields lawmakers from prosecution for remarks made during official legislative proceedings.
Razon’s counsel argued that because the statements were published on a personal social media account rather than during a session or committee hearing, they do not qualify for constitutional protection.
Razon is seeking two counts of cyber libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The businessman is also demanding ₱100 million in moral damages and ₱10 million in exemplary damages, citing the significant harm to his global reputation and emotional distress.
Makati prosecutors will now evaluate the evidence to determine if there is probable cause to bring the case to court. (James A. Loyola)
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