Bold claim: a sitting lawmaker stands by challenging a president amid discipline and political risk, insisting the public deserves accountability even as he faces suspension. That tension sits at the heart of this story.
Cavite’s 4th District representative, Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, spoke with The Big Story on One News, saying he still plans to push an impeachment complaint against President Marcos, arguing that a betrayal of public trust could serve as a legitimate ground for removal.
Barzaga appeared unfazed by the House of Representatives’ 60-day suspension for conduct unbecoming a member of Congress. He was present in the plenary when the decision—suspension without pay and privileges—was upheld, and he did not dispute the panel’s recommendations.
“I wholeheartedly accept the committee’s decision,” Barzaga stated, “but I maintain my stance that President Marcos must be held accountable for his crimes. Too many people have died, and too much money has been plundered from the Filipino people for us to stand down now.”
He added that any punishment he personally faces, or that comes to others who oppose the President, pales in comparison to the lives and futures that could be saved if Marcos leaves Malacañang.
Earlier in October, Barzaga signaled during plenary sessions that he intended to file an impeachment complaint against Marcos for alleged betrayal of public trust. As of now, no formal complaint has been filed with the Office of the House secretary general, Cheloy Garafil—the lawyer and former journalist who previously led the Presidential Communications Office before her post in Taiwan’s Manila Economic Cooperation Office.
Barzaga has publicly asserted his intent to pursue impeachment, hoping Congress will act swiftly so a probe into flood-control anomalies can begin. Yet the 317-member House currently counts a substantial majority of Marcos allies—289 members—casting doubt on immediate success.
In a separate online post, Barzaga, part of what some label as a “nepo baby” generation—being the son of late congressman Elpidio Barzaga Jr.—shared documents related to Marcos’s impeachment bid on his vlog. He referred to the President as having betrayed public trust and introduced the impeachment as a next step for accountability.
The video included scenes from the plenary chamber, with Barzaga quipping about a return to the “crocodile farm” and teasing a surprise regarding the Marcos impeachment—closing with a playful note about the President’s fate.
Would you support impeachment as a mechanism to address alleged betrayals of public trust, or do you see this move as politically divisive? Share your perspective in the comments.
