Barzaga complies with House ultimatum, takes down lewd posts

Suspended Cavite Rep. Francisco Barzaga took down yesterday Facebook posts on his personal and official accounts that were deemed improper by his colleagues, following a 24-hour ultimatum given by the House ethics panel on Monday night.

- By DELON PORCALLA

"As per our committee report, it is very possible that a harsher penalty might be imposed upon him," ethics panel chair and 4Ps party-list Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos said moments before Barzaga removed the social media posts.

Barzaga was slapped with a 60-day suspension with no pay and benefits as a result of his disorderly behavior in the House, where he showed "conduct unbecoming of a member of the bicameral Congress," Abalos said.

Abalos also warned Barzaga not to repeat the posts he made in his personal and official social media accounts, where there was disrespect for women for showing lewd photos, as well as ostentatious display of wealth by showing himself handling bundles of cash, among others.

Barzaga - who was present in the plenary hall on Monday - did not dispute the panel's recommendations.