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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Goodbye Congressmeow? Garin hints at Barzaga's imminent expulsion from House

Goodbye Congressmeow? Garin hints at Barzaga's imminent expulsion from House

Published Apr 28, 2026 08:27 pm

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin signals that Cavite 4th Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga is likely facing expulsion after the ethics committee reached a decision on his latest complaint.
  • Barzaga has already served two separate 60‑day suspensions for disorderly behavior, with Garin stressing that repeated violations in Congress typically lead to expulsion.
  • The ethics committee is expected to present its report in plenary when sessions resume on May 4.
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (left), Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (MANILA BULLETIN)
Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (left), Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (MANILA BULLETIN)


House Deputy Speaker Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin strongly hinted at the impending expulsion of "congressmeow" Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga as a result of his latest ethics complaint.
This, after Garin told House reporters on Tuesday, April 28 that the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges has reached a decision on Barzaga’s case following a closed-door hearing that same day.
Asked what the decision was, Garin said, "I leave that to the committee. I cannot vote because I’m one with the complaints."
But if history is any indication, the eccentric Barzaga--already twice suspended this 20th Congress--is likely headed for explusion from the 300-plus strong legislative chamber.
“Historically, kasi sa Kongreso kapag na-suspend ka na ( in Congress, when you get suspended), then you have another suspension. And in this case, the second suspension has a very strong warning that if he repeats it again, it will proceed to a higher penalty," Garin explained.
In short, strike three times and you're out.
The Gen Z lawmaker has already been slapped with two 60-day suspensions without pay for that the ethics panel described as "disorderly behavior". This mainly had to do with his ragebait posts and objectification of women on social media.
His first suspension lasted from Dec. 1, 2025 to Jan. 30, 2026, while his second suspension lasted from Feb. 4., 2026 to April 5, 2026.
The instance of repeated violations resulting to a House member getting expelled last happened in the 19th Congress to then-Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. Before he was kicked out of the House, Teves was also meted two successive 60-day suspensions.
Garin’s complaint was based on Barzaga’s claim linking her, her daughter, and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor to the death of a vice mayor, who died from an accidental discharge of a firearm.
“So again, this is not about personalities, this is about the integrity of the institution, and now proper decorum should be observed, and as we can see paulit-ulit (he is recidivist),” noted Garin.
The earliest that the ethics committee can tackle its report in plenary and endorse Barzaga's latest penalty is on Monday, May 4, or when the House resumes sessions after its lengthy summer break.

Related Tags

Janette Garin ethics complaint Kiko Barzaga Congressmeow Expulsion
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