00:01Madam Speaker, I move to consider Committee Report No. 298, submitted by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, and for
00:09this purpose, direct the Secretary-General to read the title of the Committee Report.
00:13There is a motion to consider Committee Report No. 298, submitted by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. Is there
00:21any objection? The Chair hears none. The motion is approved. The Secretary-General is directed to read the title of
00:28the Committee Report.
00:30Majority Leader, the Secretary-General is directed to read the title of the measure.
00:38Committee Report No. 298, Re-Committee Case No. P-2025-06 and SC-2025-07, findings and recommendations of the
00:50Committee on the matter of Representative Francisco Kiko A. Barzaga.
00:55Majority Leader.
00:56Madam Speaker, I move to recognize the Chairperson of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Representative JC M. Abalos.
01:05The Honorable Abalos, recognized for his sponsorship.
01:09Madam Speaker, distinguished members of this August Chamber, ladies and gentlemen,
01:14I rise today on behalf of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to sponsor Committee Report No. 298 on the
01:21consolidated cases involving Committee Case No. 6 and Committee Case No. 7.
01:27The dignity, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives must be safeguarded at all times.
01:34Legislative discipline is exercised not merely to punish, but to preserve the honor of this institution and to protect the
01:41public trust.
01:41While we welcome the dynamism and energy of our younger members, this innovation must never cross into disorderly behavior that
01:50breaches parliamentary decorum.
01:52To provide a brief background on these consolidated cases, on the 25th of December, 2025, Representative Janet Elgarin filed a
02:02petition against Representative Francisco Kiko A. Barzaga for disorderly behavior, violations of the House rules, and Republic Act No. 6713,
02:13which is Committee Case No. 6.
02:15On the 29th of September, 2025, Representative Barzaga filed a reciprocal sworn complaint against Representative Garin for conduct unbecoming of
02:26a member, which is Committee Case No. 7.
02:28On the 19th of November, 2025, the Committee formally consolidated both cases to ensure a unified and orderly review.
02:38On February 3, 2026, the Committee dismissed Committee Case No. 7 due to the clear non-interest of Representative Barzaga
02:47to pursue his complaint against Representative Garin.
02:50The Committee considered the absence of Representative Barzaga at the formal hearing despite prior notice as lack of interest in
02:59pursuing his case against Representative Garin.
03:02It declared Representative Garin. It declared Representative Garin. It declared Representative Barzaga in default and to have waived his right
03:07to a hearing.
03:08On a duly seconded motion, there being no objection, the Committee unanimously dismissed the Garin.
03:14The Barzaga complaint. Consequently, the Committee proceeded to a formal hearing on the merits of the remaining petition against Representative
03:21Garin.
03:22The formal investigation revealed substantial evidence that Representative Garin engaged in a pattern of highly disruptive,
03:30discourteous, and disorderly behavior that directly obstructed plenary sessions and desecrated parliamentary solemnity.
03:38The established infractions include, number one, disruptive physical demeanor, repeatedly interrupting actual plenary sessions by walking around aimlessly,
03:48engaging in loud outbursts, and distracting members during crucial legislative tasks.
03:54Number two, mockery of the leadership.
03:56On the 17th of September, 2025, the respondent posted a video on his official Facebook page,
04:03superimposing animated crocodiles over the former House Speaker and the majority leader during an official speech,
04:10pairing it with a mocking comedic tune to humiliate the leadership.
04:14Number three, unauthorized and slanderous live broadcasts.
04:19On the 23rd and 24th of September, 2025, at the height of the critical 2026 national budget deliberations,
04:27the respondent conducted unauthorized Facebook live broadcasts from the plenary floor.
04:32He used these live streams to record colleagues without consent, mock the proceedings,
04:37and make serious on parliamentary actuations live on camera.
04:44Mr. Madam Speaker, Section 4AB of Republic Act 6713 explicitly commands all public officials
04:51to observe professionalism as a core standard of personal conduct.
04:56The actions of the respondent fell dangerously short of this standard.
05:00His conduct undermined the collective duty of this august body to legislate with dignity and decorum.
05:06After an exhaustive, fair, and objective evaluation of the case,
05:11the committee finds respondent Representative Francisco Kiko A. Barsaga of the 4th District of Cavite
05:17to have committed disorderly behavior and demonstrated conduct unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives
05:23by violating Section 141 A and B, Rule 20 of the House Rules, and Section 4AB of Republic Act 6713.
05:31With the representative having meted with 60-day suspensions in two instances,
05:36the committee considers that another penalty of suspension will not likely deter the improper behavior
05:43which continuously reflects negatively on the image of the House of Representatives.
05:48Therefore, the committee approves to recommend the imposition of the most severe penalty of expulsion from office
05:53upon Representative Kiko Barsaga pursuant to Section 16, Paragraph 3, Article 6 of the Constitution,
06:01Section 142, Rule 20 of the Rules of the House of Representatives,
06:05and Section 52B5, Rule 9 of the Committee Rules.
06:08Madam Speaker, let this report serve as a firm reminder
06:12that while opinions may differ and expressions may vary,
06:16the sanctity of the legislative process and respect for the Filipino people we represent must remain absolute.
06:22I urge my distinguished colleagues to approve this committee report.
06:26Paraming salamat po, Madam Speaker.
06:30With 265 members voting in the affirmative, 14 in the negative, and 8 abstentions,
06:35the findings and recommendations contained in Committee Report No. 298 are hereby adopted.
06:43Representative Barsaga is hereby notified of the action taken by the House on Committee Report No. 298.
06:50Credit to the charge of Standard Committee Report No. 298.
06:51Representative Bar налicago is on Committee份 of 1, November 12, David keluück
06:56because of the Ja'Va S 지금까지 North Mason needs the allocation.
07:00These will be theCA laws of the Committeeões of Division before clicking the Si'Va S,
Comments