House Expels Rep. Kiko Barzaga Over Disorderly Conduct

By Master JJ

The House of Representatives voted last Tuesday, June 2, 2026 to expel Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga after lawmakers found him guilty of repeated disruptive and disorderly behavior that allegedly interfered with legislative proceedings.

A total of 265 lawmakers voted in favor of the recommendation of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to remove Barzaga from office, while 14 voted against the measure and eight abstained from voting.

The decision made Barzaga the first member of the House of Representatives to be expelled in nearly three years.

The recommendation was contained in Committee Report No. 298, which concluded that Barzaga committed acts that were considered unbecoming of a member of Congress.

According to 4Ps Party-list Representative JC Abalos, who chairs the ethics committee, Barzaga showed a pattern of behavior that disrupted the work of the House and affected the order of plenary sessions.

Abalos stated that “Rep. Barzaga engaged in a pattern of highly disruptive, discourteous, and disorderly behavior that directly obstructed plenary sessions and desecrated parliamentary solemnity.”

The ethics committee also cited several incidents involving Barzaga, including repeated interruptions during plenary debates and loud outbursts while official proceedings were taking place.

The report further claimed that Barzaga distracted fellow lawmakers while they were carrying out legislative duties and openly mocked the leadership of the House.

Before his expulsion, Barzaga had already been suspended twice for a total of 60 days because of social media posts that contained accusations against other lawmakers and senior government officials.

The 27-year-old legislator became widely known for promoting animal rights and for adopting a cat-themed public image that often included the word “meow” in his statements and speeches.

The vote to remove Barzaga came after weeks of discussions and disagreements among lawmakers regarding the proper disciplinary action for his behavior.

Supporters of the expulsion argued that maintaining order and respect within the House required strong disciplinary measures against members who repeatedly violated parliamentary rules.

However, some lawmakers questioned whether expulsion was an appropriate punishment for the offenses attributed to Barzaga.

Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice expressed concern that the decision might be viewed as punishment for political dissent rather than a response to disorderly conduct.

Erice stated that “My concern is whether expulsion would be perceived as punishment for dissent rather than genuine disorderly behavior.”

He also questioned whether enough lawmakers were present to legally proceed with the vote and requested a roll call before the final voting process continued.

The House later confirmed that a quorum was present and proceeded with the expulsion vote.

Barzaga’s removal also attracted public attention because he had previously voted against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Vice President is currently facing allegations related to the misuse of confidential funds and accusations involving an alleged plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Although the impeachment issue was separate from the ethics case, some observers noted that Barzaga’s position on controversial political matters increased public interest in the proceedings.

During his 11 months in Congress, Barzaga filed six bills and co-authored five additional measures.

Among his most notable proposals was a bill seeking to legalize divorce in the Philippines.

His congressional profile showed that he participated in several legislative initiatives despite serving less than a year in office.

Following the vote, Barzaga accepted the outcome and discussed his future plans outside government service.

He announced that he would consider pursuing opportunities in the private sector after leaving Congress.

Barzaga stated that “Maybe I’ll work as a veterinarian.”

He also said that he might attempt to return to public office in the future if he did not find a better career path outside politics.

In August 2023, former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. was expelled from Congress while facing multiple murder charges, including the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Other former lawmakers who were removed from the House include Romeo Jalosjos Sr. of Zamboanga del Norte and Ruben Ecleo Jr. of Dinagat Islands.

Jalosjos was removed after being found guilty of raping a minor, while Ecleo faced graft-related charges and accusations connected to the death of his wife.

Barzaga compared his case with those of previously expelled lawmakers and suggested that his offenses were less serious than theirs.

He stated that “It’s like I’m the kindest person on the list.”

The House leadership maintained that the decision was based on conduct within the institution and the need to uphold standards of professionalism among lawmakers.

The expulsion serves as a reminder that members of Congress are expected to follow parliamentary rules and maintain respectful behavior during official proceedings.

The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges stated that disciplinary actions are intended to protect the integrity of the institution and ensure that legislative work can continue without unnecessary disruptions.

With the vote now finalized, Barzaga officially leaves the House of Representatives and begins the next chapter of his career outside Congress while lawmakers continue their legislative responsibilities.

Courtesy: Rolling Stone Philippines (Photo)