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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Kiko Barzaga apologizes to Enrique Razon, says he'll accept his fate

Kiko Barzaga apologizes to Enrique Razon, says he'll accept his fate

Published Jan 19, 2026 09:32 pm

At A Glance

  • What did a P110-million lawsuit from billionaire businessman Enrique Razon do to the usually defiant Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga? It made him drop his "congressmeow" shtick--at least temporarily--as well as issue a public apology to the ports and casino magnate.
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (Facebook)
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (Facebook)


What did a P110-million lawsuit from billionaire businessman Enrique Razon do to the usually defiant Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga?
It made him drop his "congressmeow" shtick--at least temporarily--as well as issue a public apology to the ports and casino magnate.
"Enrique Razon, apologies," the Gen Z lawmaker said while shooting the breeze in a podcast hosted by veteran broadcaster Mon Tulfo and lawyer Clint Aranas.
Razon earlier filed two counts of cyberlibel against Barzaga after the latter alleged on social media that the businessman bribed National Unity Party (NUP) solons into helping former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez win in the May 2025 election.
Razon sought P100 million in moral damages plus P10 million in exemplary damages from the Dasmariñas City solon, whose listed net worth was P5.375 million.
Barzaga--an expert rage-baiter who was slapped with a two-month suspension order last December by his House colleagues--appeared level-headed in the podcast, where he even spoke about "morals".
"From a moral standpoint, if that is going to be my punishment for making a statement on what I assumed without--what I assumed of Razon's moral perspective of, or Razon's personality, then yes," he said.
"Eh di tama lang na makasuhan ako dahil doon (It's only right that I get sued for that)," admitted Barzaga.
Whether or not it was just a facade, the 27-year-old sounded mature and expressed a readiness to accept his ultimate fate in relation to Razon's case.
"Kung sakali magkaroon ako ng fine or imprisonment as a penalty, tanggap ko naman yun eh (If ever I get slapped with a fine or impingement as a penalty, I accept that).
"No, no, seryoso (No, no, I'm serious)," he said with a straight face when the podcast hosts laughed at what he said.
"Tama naman yun, people must be--everyone must be liable for their crimes or their immortality. And if were to lose the case, I will willingly accept it," added Barzaga, a neophyte in the 20th Congress.
He had one good thing to say about Razon--apparently, his late father and predecessor, Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. told him that he was a trustworthy person.
"Because once I read the letter of my father he genuinely trusted Razon. And it was me who broke my father's trust during that time because of my misinterpretation of what happened," the podcast guest said.
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