Razon sues Barzaga for cyberlibel

National

BILLIONAIRE businessman Enrique Razon has filed cyberlibel complaints against suspended Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga over social media posts accusing him of bribing lawmakers.

The complaints were lodged before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, Jan. 14, according to Razon’s legal counsel. The move comes days after Barzaga made public allegations involving Razon and members of the National Unity Party (NUP).

In a report by Philstar, Razon’s lawyer, Laurence Arroyo, said the cases stem from a Jan. 9 Facebook post by Barzaga claiming that Razon bribed NUP lawmakers at Solaire to secure support for Speaker Martin Romualdez’s continued leadership in the House of Representatives.

Citing emotional distress and serious damage to his reputation, Razon is seeking accountability through two counts of cyberlibel. Media reports said the tycoon is demanding P100 million in moral damages and an additional P10 million in exemplary damages.

The controversy has also drawn a response from the National Unity Party itself. On January 13, NUP chairman Rep. Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo said the party would pursue its own legal action against Barzaga over the allegations.

Puno said Barzaga’s statements unfairly maligned all members of the party, noting that NUP was once led by Barzaga’s father and that the suspended lawmaker was previously part of the group. He said the party would allow the courts to resolve the issue.

Barzaga, for his part, said he is unfazed by the filing of the complaints and expressed readiness to face Razon in court. He said he welcomes a legal showdown and wants the matter resolved as soon as possible.

The cyberlibel cases add to Barzaga’s legal and political troubles. He is currently serving a 60-day suspension from Congress after being found guilty of posting lewd and inappropriate content on social media.

The House ethics committee imposed the penalty following an investigation, with the suspension taking effect on Dec. 1.(Victoria Diana, USJ-R Comm Intern)