STANDING for his party and partymates in the National Unity Party (NUP), Manila Congressman Rolando ‘CRV’ Valeriano (2nd district) lodged a criminal complaint for cyberlibel against Rep. Francisco “Kiko” A. Barzaga over a viral social media post accusing NUP lawmakers of receiving bribes in exchange for political support for former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
It will be recalled that in his post, Barzaga alleged that NUP congressmen received bribes from businessman Enrique Razon in various gatherings at Solaire prior to the 2025 elections, claiming that these alleged bribes were given in exchange for supporting the re-election of Romualdez.
Valeriano filed his complaint before the Office of the Manila City Prosecutor, days after Razon himself also filed the same.
In his complaint, Valeriano cited Barzaga’s specific allegation that “NUP Congressmen received bribes from Enrique Razon in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Romualdez.
The said statement, according to Valeriano, is a direct public accusation of bribery against identifiable members of the NUP bloc, and constitutes an imputation of a serious crime made without evidence and published through a widely accessible social media platform, further arguing that the post was widely circulated online in a manner that maximized reputational harm.
Said post, he said, constitutes cyber libel, punishable under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code on libel.
“The allegation was publicly disseminated online and subsequently amplified through online news sites and social media pages, widening its reach and exposing NUP lawmakers to reputational harm and public suspicion…was made maliciously and with reckless disregard for the truth,” said Valeriano, noting that no proof was offered to support the accusation.
He said sweeping allegations of criminal conduct, broadcast online as fact, are especially damaging at a time when government officials are rebuilding public trust in its institutions, adding: “Baseless accusations of bribery are not harmless political commentary.
They are accusations of criminal conduct, broadcast to the public as if they were established fact. If you claim that.”
Valeriano said that the accusation this time was not directed just at a single individual but was made against a defined and identifiable group—the members of the NUP in the House of Representatives.
“The attack not only personal, but institutional…an affront to the entire NUP, not just to one member. It was intended to stain a whole bloc of legislators through one sweeping allegation, without evidence, without verification, and without accountability,” he stressed.
According to him, his filing comes at a time when public confidence in institutions must be protected rather than undermined.
He said: “These accusations are especially harmful at a time when we are still rebuilding public trust,” Valeriano said. “When lies are repeated as fact, they do not just malign individuals, they weaken institutions.”
Valeriano bared that other NUP members affected by the same post are pursuing their own legal remedies.
The NUP remains united in defending its members and upholding institutional integrity, stressing that the NUP is currently the second largest political party in the House of Representatives, he stressed.
