Barzaga summoned over sedition, rebellion

MANILA, Philippines —  The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has summoned for preliminary investigation Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco Barzaga over charges of inciting to sedition and inciting to rebellion filed by the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Barzaga posted on social media on Wednesday a copy of the subpoena along with the caption: “Bongbong Marcos, how many people have your father killed or imprisoned before he was removed from power? This will not stop us, this will only make the revolution stronger!” 

In a subsequent post that evening, the lawmaker said he was willing to “die for a noble cause” and expressed hope of contributing to what he described as the President’s “downfall.”

The social media post comes amid a string of controversies involving Barzaga, who recently broke away from the majority in the House of Representatives.

The subpoena, dated Nov. 12, requires Barzaga to personally appear before the prosecutor on Nov. 18 and 25 at 3 p.m. for the preliminary investigation of the complaints for alleged violations of Articles 142 and 138 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II confirmed the filing of the complaints against Barzaga before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the violent incidents that occurred in Mendiola and C.M. Recto in Manila on Sept. 21. 

“There was a crime committed, it was violent and police officers were injured. Government properties paid for by taxpayers were also damaged. So we have to file the cases. This is nothing personal,” Morico said.

Morico withheld other information about the cases, saying it would be improper to issue any remark while the complaint is under preliminary investigation.

Barzaga earlier accused the chamber’s leadership of linking him to an alleged signature campaign to unseat Martin Romualdez as House speaker.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines previously removed Barzaga from its list of reservists following what it described as “insinuations of sedition” made through his social media statements.

Barzaga is also facing an ethics complaint in the House for his repeated attacks on senior government officials.

In October, Barzaga called on supporters to gather outside Forbes Park in Makati City to storm houses allegedly owned by Romualdez and former lawmaker Zaldy Co. 

Barzaga, who supported Marcos during the 2022 presidential campaign, has recently cast himself as an anti-corruption advocate critical of the administration.

His critics, however, view his actions as attention seeking and a diversion from genuine anti-corruption initiatives. –  Mark Ernest Villeza, Elizabeth Marcelo