Rude for ‘nepo baby’: Solons slam Kiko Barzaga over post on Gato’s death

MANILA, Philippines — At least two House of Representatives lawmakers have called out their former colleague, ex-Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, for his disrespectful statements on the death of Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr.

In a press briefing on Friday, Manila Rep. Joel Chua said Barzaga is rude for a nepo baby — a term used for politicians who supposedly benefited from relatives who used to be in office.

Barzaga is the son of the late Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga and recently-elected Rep. Jenny Barzaga.  Since Gato’s death last Sept. 21, the younger Barzaga has made several posts claiming that the lawmaker’s passing is good news, calling him a crocodile.

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“Para sa isang nepo baby, bastos siya (For a nepo baby, he’s rude),” Chua said when asked about Kiko’s social media posts.

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Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. also called out Kiko, saying his actions are affecting his father’s legacy.

Elpidio, fondly called as Pidi by his friends and colleagues, passed away at the age of 74 last April 27, 2024.  He was hailed by several members of the House, including no less than former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, as “a great legal thinker” and as “one of the most loved and respected” lawmakers.

READ: Speaker: House mourns death of ‘great legal thinker’ Pidi Barzaga 

“Talagang bastos ‘yan,” Abante said in a text message to reporters.  “Pati tatay niya na magaling at matino naapektahan dahil sa kanya.”

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(He’s really rude.  Even the legacy of his father, who is a good and competent official, is being affected because of him.)

Abante and Chua are members of the National Unity Party (NUP), the same party co-founded and headed by Elpidio.  Kiko was also a member of the party until he bolted last September 2025.

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Since Gato’s death, Kiko has made several posts on his Facebook account.  One post claimed that Gato’s death is good news, saying that it is “another victory” in the political war.

The former lawmaker also highlighted that Gato voted in favor of adopting House Resolution No. 989, which contained the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Good News: Pro-Impeachment Batanes Congressman Ciriaco Gato Jr. is now gone! Another victory in this Political War, God Bless the Filipino People!” Kiko posted on his account last Tuesday.

In a separate post, Kiko said that he pities Gato — who also voted in favor of his expulsion.

“Nakakaawa si Congressman Gato ng Batanes eh, inexpel niya ako sa Kongreso, pero nasaan na siya ngayon?… Patay!  Habang ako chill lang, swimming lang dito sa China kasama mga eabab ko,” he said.

(I pity the Batanes Congressman; he voted to expel me from Congress, but where is he now?  He is dead, while I remain chill, swimming in China with my women.)

Earlier, after the necrological services for Gato at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Kiko shared a post from a news outlet while using the caption “Bye Bye Crocodile.”

Last June 2026, 265 lawmakers voted in favor of expelling Kiko over “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior.  Only 14 voted against it, while eight abstained.

READ: House expels Kiko Barzaga over ‘disruptive’ and ‘disorderly’ behavior 

Prior to his expulsion, Kiko was already suspended twice by the House.  Last Dec. 1, 2025, the plenary voted in favor of the committee’s recommendation, suspending him 60 days without pay as his social media posts were deemed conduct “unbefitting of a House member.

The complaints against Kiko came from Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno and NUP members over the former lawmaker’s alleged violation of the conduct expected of House members.

Puno said last September 2025 that Kiko’s social media posts, including lewd photos and an alleged ostentatious display of wealth, will be used as pieces of evidence for the ethics complaint.

One of the photos presented by Puno included a photo of a scantily-clad woman who wrapped her thighs around Kiko’s neck.

Then in February, just after he returned to the House, Kiko was suspended for another 60 days, in response to complaints from Puno and the NUP.

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Kiko accused NUP members of being bribed by business tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. into supporting former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez during the speakership race.  Also, the former Cavite solon claimed that it was the will of God that former NUP stalwart and late Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop died so that “he may not continue his corruption any longer.” /mr