Ex-Lawmaker Slammed for 'Disgusting' Remarks on Deceased Congressman's Death

A former Cavite Representative is facing widespread backlash for his celebratory remarks on the death of Batanes Representative Ciriaco Gato Jr., who had voted for his expulsion from the Lower Chamber. Kiko Barzaga, 28, took to social media on Monday, September 21, to post jubilant messages following reports of Gato's passing due to cardiac arrest at age 66. Gato was serving his third and final term as Batanes representative. Before entering politics, Gato was an ear, nose, and throat specialist and chaired the House Health Committee in 2022, contributing to significant legislation like Republic Act 11959 (Specialty Centers Act) and Republic Act 12290 (Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines Act). Barzaga's posts included statements like "Good News: Pro-Impeachment Batanes Congressman Ciriaco Gato Jr. is now gone!" and "Another victory in this Political War, God Bless the Filipino People!" He further elaborated in another post, "Nakakaawa si Batanes Congressman Gato eh, in-expel niya ako sa Kongreso, pero asan na siya ngayon?… Patay! Habang ako chill lang, swimming lang dito sa China kasama mga eabab [babae] ko, nyahahahaha! God Bless the Filipino People!" (Poor Batanes Congressman Gato, he expelled me from Congress, but where is he now?... Dead! While I'm just chilling, swimming here in China with my girls, nyahahahaha! God Bless the Filipino People!). These remarks were met with outrage from Filipinos who described Barzaga's comments as insensitive and "absolutely disgusting." A Reddit user commented, "This is my congressman... F*** you, Kiko Barzaga, you’re a disgusting human being and you deserve to have your position of power stripped away from you." Others lamented the apparent lack of decency, highlighting Gato as a "genuinely kind soul" who was "very proactive" in serving Batanes. Some netizens expressed hope that Gato's family would file a cyber libel case against Barzaga for defamation of the dead. This incident follows similar controversial comments made by Barzaga in June regarding the late Antipolo City Representative Romeo Acop, whom he accused of corruption. Barzaga was expelled from the Lower Chamber in June after being found guilty of disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a member by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges. Information Source: Interaksyon Politics