No mental issues - Barzaga

Metro Manila, Philippines - Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga said he is well after his former National Unity Party (NUP) questioned his behavior.

NUP chairman and Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno said party members will file an ethics complaint against Barzaga for violating the House Code of Conduct, presenting evidence of his social media posts that display “lewd” content, “ostentatious” wealth, and seeming inciting to sedition.

Puno said the young legislator may be “unwell.”

“He’s free to think whatever he wants. I still deeply respect him though I think he’s wrong in saying that,” the neophyte lawmaker said, referring to Puno.

“I do not believe that I’m unwell. I’ve not been diagnosed with any serious mental conditions that lead me to be unable to be fit for service,” Barzaga added.

Barzaga said he will accept the verdict of the ethics committee if it is based on “logical” and “factual” arguments, not because of social media posts he made before he got elected.

Last week, Barzaga left the NUP after receiving information that Puno implicated him in a move to remove Speaker Martin Romualdez. The deputy speaker explained he was just asking if there is truth to the supposed ouster plot.

Barzaga confirmed to the media that he has been campaigning to be Speaker.

“I’m going to take Speaker Romualdez’s speakership and I hope Majority Leader Sandro Marcos won’t hold it against me and won’t stand in my way,” the Cavite lawmaker said.

“We have one now, two maybe if we’re lucky, we will win,” he said when asked if he had support from House members.