What happens next after Kiko Barzaga is expelled from the House of Representatives?
The House of Representatives, on June 2, voted to expel Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga from its ranks.
The House Ethics Committee found the neophyte liable for conduct unbecoming of a member, citing repeated acts that lawmakers said eroded respect for the institution and disrupted congressional proceedings.
The expulsion came after two previous suspensions failed to deter behavior that the committee deemed offensive and disorderly.
A total of 287 lawmakers participated in the vote. Of that number, 265 voted in favor of expulsion, including an emotional Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez, who fired back at Barzaga for his vulgar posts about congressmen.
14 voted against, including SAGIP Partylist Paolo Marcoleta and Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez, while eight lawmakers abstained.
With the "Congressmeow" out of the House, what happens next to the 27-year-old and his congressional seat?
Why was Barzaga expelled?
The expulsion stemmed from a complaint filed by Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin, who accused Barzaga of disruptive conduct during plenary sessions.
According to the Ethics Committee, Barzaga livestreamed proceedings and made remarks that violated parliamentary decorum. The panel said the videos showed behavior that disrupted the solemnity and dignity of House proceedings.
The committee rejected Barzaga's defense that the incidents were normal interactions among lawmakers, ruling that noisy and sarcastic remarks broadcast through social media were unparliamentary.
In October, 29 complaints were filed against Barzaga for inappropriate conduct, as well as violation of the 1987 Constitution and House rules.
It came after the lawmaker's social media posts criticizing ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the alleged corruption involving the government's flood-control projects.
Can the House expel its members?
Article VI, Section 16(3) of the 1987 Constitution states that each House of Congress “may determine the rules of its proceedings” and allows for the suspension or expulsion of a member with the concurrence of two-thirds of all House members.
Section 142 under Rule XX: Code of Conduct in the House Rules also states the same voting requirement for expulsion.
What are the implications of expulsion?
Expulsion immediately removes a lawmaker from membership in the House of Representatives. The expelled member loses the rights, privileges, and responsibilities attached to the office.
The congressional seat then becomes vacant, triggering the legal processes for filling the vacancy under election laws.
Under Section 5 of Rule II on House membership, a special election may be held to fill a vacant representation. The elected member shall then serve only during the duration of the unexpired term of office.
In a DZMM interview, COMELEC chairman George Garcia said that an estimated P200 million is needed for the special election, which must be held before the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in November. He told reporters that the special poll may be scheduled for Aug. 22 or 29.
"Ang eksatong salitang nakalagay sa Saligang Batas, kapag nagkaroon ng vacancy, [whether], nag-resign, o ganyang natanggal, ang Comelec may call [or hold] a special election," he said.
Unlike impeachment, expulsion from the House does not automatically disqualify a person from seeking elective office in the future. In Barzaga's case, Garcia told reporters that the former lawmaker may still run for public office.
"Pwede siya mag-file sapagkat 'yung kanyang pagkakatanggal sa pagiging kongresista ay hindi po perpetual disqualification to hold public office," the COMELEC chairman said.
More complaints vs Barzaga
On June 2, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag filed an ethics complaint against Barzaga over the former lawmaker's post during the Senate shooting incident, which the latter called an "assassination attempt."
Matibag added that they will file criminal charges against Barazaga next week.
