This is an AI-generated summary, which may contain errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – Suspended lawmaker Kiko Barzaga surrendered to police authorities on Monday, April 13, after a court issued an arrest warrant for his cyber-hacking case.
According to one report, Barzaga presented himself at the Dasmariñas City Police Station at 6:59 pm, accompanied by a legal counsel.
The surrender of the Cavite 4th District representative came a few hours after the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 147 in Makati City issued a warrant of arrest for eight counts of cyberbullying.
Tycoon Enrique Razon earlier slapped the neophyte lawmaker with a cyberbullying case after the lawmaker accused the billionaire, without proof, of bribing members of the National Unity Party (NUP), his former party. Barzaga later apologized for his remarks.
Bail was proposed at P48,000 for each count.
Rappler has contacted Barzaga’s staff for its part, but has yet to receive a response. Barzaga has been suspended from Parliament since December because of his reckless behavior on social media.
Barzaga had been charged to incite rebellion over posts that jokingly talked about setting fire to the Batasang Pambansa.
Its first 60 days suspension it stopped in February, but his colleagues extended the punishment for two more months due to allegations of continued misconduct. The ethics committee noted how Barzaga online insulted the late Antipolo congressman Romeo Acop, and his defiant behavior towards his colleagues and “the individual,” which is an obvious reference to Razon.
Suspension is the second most severe punishment that can be imposed on a Council member, second only to expulsion. – Rappler.com
