Billionaire Enrique Razon has filed cyberlibel complaints against suspended Cavite Representative Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga over statements targeting the business tycoon. The complaints focus on a January 9 Facebook post by Barzaga accusing Razon of bribing National Unity Party lawmakers. Barzaga has stated he is ready to face Razon in court.
Billionaire Enrique Razon filed two counts of cyberlibel against suspended Cavite Representative Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, January 14. According to Razon's lawyer, Laurence Arroyo, the complaint revolves around Barzaga's January 9 Facebook post alleging that Razon bribed National Unity Party (NUP) lawmakers at Solaire to back Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership.
Razon is seeking P100 million in moral damages and an additional P10 million in exemplary damages, citing emotional distress and reputational harm. On January 13, NUP chairman Representative Ronaldo Puno (Antipolo 1st District) announced that the party would also file complaints against Barzaga. "We will see him in court, since he chose to malign all members of the NUP—a party once led by his own father and one that he himself joined," Puno stated.
In response, Barzaga expressed readiness to confront Razon legally. "I am prepared to face Enrique Razon in court, the sooner, the better!" he said. Barzaga is currently suspended from Congress for 60 days for posting lewd and inappropriate social media content, a penalty effective from December 1 following an ethics committee review.
This case highlights tensions between politics and business in the Philippines, where such accusations can significantly impact the reputations of prominent figures.
