CAVITE, Philippines — Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga surrendered to authorities on Monday night after a Makati court issued a warrant of arrest in connection with eight counts of cyberlibel, police said.
Police Lt. Col. Mac Arthur Mercader, officer-in-charge of the Dasmariñas Component City Police Station, received Barzaga when he surrendered at 6:59 p.m., according to reports.
The warrant was issued by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 147. Court documents showed that each cyberlibel count carried bail set at ₱48,000.
Barzaga posted bail at 10:25 p.m. and was released from custody.
The charges stemmed from a Facebook post dated January 9, where Barzaga alleged that National Unity Party (NUP) lawmakers received bribes from businessman Enrique Razon during gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 elections in exchange for support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Razon, along with Deputy Speaker Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno and Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano, filed cyberlibel complaints against Barzaga. The complaints were filed in separate prosecutor’s offices in Makati, Antipolo, and Manila.
Razon said Barzaga’s statements accused him of corruption and bribery without evidence and caused damage to his reputation. Puno and Valeriano also described the posts as malicious and without factual basis.
Authorities have not released further details on the case, and Barzaga has not issued a public statement at the time of reporting.