National Unity Party (NUP) stalwart Negros Oriental 4th district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer has challenged suspended Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga to put his money where his mouth is by showing proof of his allegations.

Ferrer took up the cudgels for his fellow NUP stalwarts--both living and departed--in a privilege speech Monday, Jan. 26 wherein he addressed "congressmeow" Barzaga's continued posting of inflammatory comments despite his suspension.

"Hindi natin papayagan ang paninirang-puri at walang basehang alegasyon na sirain ang kredibilidad ng ating mga kasamahan at ng Kongreso (We will not allow slander and baseless allegations to destroy the credibility of our colleagues and of Congress)," Ferrer said.

"I therefore call on Congressman Kiko Barzaga to show evidence under oath and according to the rules, or stop making reckless and baseless statements. Let this serve as a warning,” he said.

“Congressman Barzaga has maligned every living member of the NUP, a party co-founded and once led by his late father (former Rep. Elpidio ‘Pidi’ Barzaga), and one that he himself proudly joined," noted the Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman.

"In the past month, even the deceased member has not been spared from attack and defamation,” Ferrer said, referring to the late Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop.

“The rights, reputation, and dignity of members of this House will not be trampled upon. This House must remain a place of accountability, transparency, and integrity," the Visayas solon further warned.

The eccentric Barzaga was slapped with a two-month suspension without pay last Dec. 1 upon the recommendation of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The committee recommendation raised the possibility of additional penalty again the Gen Z lawmaker in case his disorderly conduct persists.

Ferrer said that Barzaga’s actions during his suspension could amount to more cyber libel cases and fresh ethics panel cases.

Billionaire businessman Enrique Razon and NUP members led by its chairman, Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno have already filed cyber-libel charges against Barzaga. This, after Barzaga alleged that NUP lawmakers received bribes from Razon to ensure the victory of former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez in the Speakership race last year.

“These are not merely false statements, they are serious accusations that malign the character and integrity of public servants, and potentially undermine public trust in this institution,” Ferrer said.

“Congressman Kiko Barzaga has once again chosen to weaponize social media instead of following proper channels,” he said. He noted that Barzaga claimed to possess evidence but “refused to present [it] in a formal, verified manner consistent with the rules".

Citing Republic Act (RA) No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, Ferrer said defamatory statements posted online constitute cyber-libel.

“All essential elements of cyber libel—publication online, identification of person, defamatory imputation of a crime, and malice—are clearly present in this case,” he said.

“This is not a mere rhetoric, it constitutes a criminal offense amounting to another instance in cyber libel, and clearly provides a sufficient basis for initiation of a further investigation by the proper authorities,” Ferrer added.

He further warned that sweeping and unsubstantiated allegations against an entire House bloc, coupled with statements that cast defamation on the institution itself, “constitute conduct that tends to erode public confidence in the House".

Such acts, he said, may violate House rules on the Code of Conduct and Republic Act (RA) No. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Ferrer said these could “give rise to the filing of another ethics complaint,” especially since Barzaga “has not yet fully served the penalty imposed in a prior disciplinary proceeding".

He added that Barzaga’s "recent action merits careful consideration of the imposition of more stringent disciplinary measures".