HOUSE Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City Rep. Ronaldo Puno said he is preparing to take legal action against suspended Dasmariñas City Rep. Francisco Barzaga following allegations that members of the National Unity Party (NUP) received bribes to support the speakership of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez in 2025.
Puno, who chairs the NUP, dismissed the claim as illogical, noting that Romualdez ran unopposed for the House speakership.
“The Speaker ran unopposed. There was no contest. To claim that bribes were paid in a situation where there was no contest at all defies logic,” Puno said.
Barzaga earlier alleged that the supposed bribes were provided by a business tycoon.
Puno said the accusation unfairly maligns the NUP, a party once led by Barzaga’s late father, former Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., and which Barzaga himself had previously joined.
“To turn around and accuse the NUP of criminal conduct, without evidence, shows a reckless and deeply irresponsible contempt for the truth,” Puno said.
Puno said he would personally file cases against Barzaga to protect the rights and reputation of NUP members, adding that other party members who were similarly accused would also pursue legal remedies.
“I will be filing cases against him. Other NUP members who were similarly maligned will be filing their own cases as well. We will see him in court,” he said.
The NUP is currently the second-largest political party in the House of Representatives.
