The House of Representatives is formally looking into the possibility of imposing additional penalties to the suspended Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga, more popularly known as "congressmeow".

This, after the 300-plus strong legislative chamber adopted during plenary session late Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 27, a motion authorizing the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to conduct a fresh investigation into Barzaga's conduct during his current 60-day suspension without pay.

“Mr. Speaker, I move to authorize the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to conduct a hearing at its next scheduled meeting,” Deputy Majority Leader 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said in a motion on the floor.

“First, to conduct a thorough assessment on the conduct of the respondent member Mr. Francisco Barzaga during the period of his suspension, and to adopt the findings and recommendations of the committee on ethics and privileges as contained in Committee Report No. 28 regarding Committee Case No. SC202503,” Gutierrez said.

“Second, to require the respondent member, Mr. Barzaga, to appear in the hearing of the committee; and third, to immediately report to the House its findings and recommendations after the scheduled hearing," he added.

The presiding officer at that time, Deputy Speaker Misamis Oriental 2nd district Rep. Yevgeny Vicente Emano, declared the motion as adopted.

Barzaga, 27, is expected to report back to work next week. It was last Dec. 1 when the House adopted the ethics panel's recommendation to suspend expert rage-baiter Barzaga for disorderly conduct for two months without pay and allowances.

Earlier in plenary session Tuesday, Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, reminded his fellow solons in a manifestation that the adopted recommendation came “with a stern warning that repetition of similar misconduct would merit more severe sanctions".

“Despite this, Congressman Barzaga has continued his defiance,” noted Valeriano, who cited the farmer's inflammatory posts on his social media. The Manila solon--who called for another 60-day suspension against Barzaga--said these posts “flagrantly violate Section 141 or Rule 20 of our rules".

“Discipline without enforcement renders our authority meaningless. The continuing defiance of Congressman Barzaga must be addressed immediately,” added Valeriano, a National Unity Party (NUP) stalwart and one of the co-chairmen of House quad-committee (quad-comm) 2.0.

Valeriano--during the interpellation of Rizal 2nd district Rep. Emigdio Tanjuatco III--read portions of Barzaga’s posts, which he said constituted renewed abuse.

These including allegations that an “NUP Congressman received bribes from businessman Enrique Razon in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 election in exchange for supporting Speaker [Ferdinand] Martin [G.] Romualdez". Valeriano described this as “isang malaking kalokohan at kasinungalingan (one big foolishness and lie)".

Valeriano also mentioned the Dasmariñas solon's posts that mocked the death of fellow NUP stalwart Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop, who passed away in late December.

Ethics committee member Tanjuatco said the remarks were particularly painful to Rizal residents, as he underscored the Filipino tradition of respecting the dead.

“Hindi po katanggap-tanggap na makarinig o makakita sa social media ang mga posts na binabastos, niyuyurakan at iniinsulto ang isang taong namatay na...Sa ating lipunan, Mr. Speaker, ang respeto na binibigay ng bawat Pilipino sa isang taong namatay ay napakahalaga. Bigyan na natin po ng katahimikan at kadapat-dapat na respeto,” he said.

(It is unacceptable to hear or see on social media posts that demean, trample upon, and insult someone who has already passed away. In our society, Mr. Speaker, the respect given by every Filipino to the deceased is of utmost importance. Let us grant them peace and the dignity of the respect they deserve.)