Kiko Barzaga

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Austria and the surname or paternal family name is Barzaga.
Kiko Barzaga
Official portrait, 2025
Assistant Majority Floor Leader
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 29, 2025
LeaderSandro Marcos
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Cavite's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2025
Preceded byElpidio Barzaga Jr.
Ex officio member of the Cavite Provincial Board as Philippine Councilors League provincial president
In office
2022 – June 30, 2025
Preceded byAnne Jomille Humarang (interim)
Succeeded byTBD
Member of the Dasmariñas City Council
In office
June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2025
Personal details
Born
Francisco Austria Barzaga

(1998-09-12) September 12, 1998
Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
Political partyNUP (since 2018)
RelationsThird Barzaga (brother)
Lorenzo Barzaga (brother)
Parent(s)Elpidio Barzaga (father)
Jenny Barzaga (mother)
OccupationPolitician
Nickname(s)Kiko, Congressmeow

Francisco "Kiko" Austria Barzaga (born September 12, 1998) or self proclaimed "Congressmeow" is a Filipino politician and animal welfare advocate who has served as the representative for Cavite's fourth district and an assistant majority leader since 2025. A member of the Barzaga political dynasty based in Dasmariñas, Barzaga previously served as a member of the Dasmariñas City Council from 2019 to 2025 and is the second youngest member of the 20th Congress after Tingog party-list representative, Andrew Julian Romualdez. He is a member of the National Unity Party (NUP).

Personal life

Francisco "Kiko" Austria Barzaga was born on September 12, 1998 at Dasmariñas, Cavite.[1] Barzaga is the son of the late Cavite Representative and former NUP President, Elpidio Barzaga Jr. and former Cavite Representative and incumbent Dasmariñas Mayor, Jenny Barzaga. He is also the older brother of Incumbent Dasmariñas Vice Mayor Elpidio “Third” Barzaga III and Lorenzo Barzaga.

Political career

Dasmariñas City Council (2019 - 2025)

Barzaga ran for a seat in the Dasmariñas City Council during the 2019 elections and 2022 elections and successfully won both of them.[2] In 2022, he was named president of the Philippine Councilors League for Cavite, earning him an ex officio seat at the Cavite Provincial Board.[3]

House of Representatives (2025 - present)

He ran for House Representative of Cavite's fourth district to replace his late father, Elpidio Barzaga Jr., who died on April 27, 2024 in California, United States.[4][5][6] He along with his mother and brother won the election and Barzaga succeeded his late father and became the representative.[7][8] In a post election interview by News5, Barzaga stated he has no plans to run for National level positions.[9]

20th Congress

Barzaga supported House Speaker Martin Romualdez and became a part of the Majority bloc on July 28, 2025.[10] Barzaga was named as an assistant majority leader under Ilocos Norte's 1st district representative Sandro Marcos on July 29, 2025.[11]

2025 Campaign jingle and style

His 2025 campaign jingle for congressman was a cover of Haring Manggi Miguelito Malakas’s song “Lupaypay” and even sang by Haring Manggi himself.[12] The jingle went viral due to its catchy tunes and the fact that Barzaga’s campaign was very associated with cats.

Criticism

Labor leader, Luke Espiritu criticized Barzaga saying he didn't won because of his campaign style but because he was a member of a dynasty.[13]

Political positions

Artificial intelligence

Barzaga proposed regulation for AI in a facebook post and in another separate post he said that AI is a violation of copyright and believes it will damage the art industry, "Al-generated videos, audio, and images will be practically indistinguishable from reality within the next decade, I propose a national legislation that mandates disclosure of its usage on content made for political and commercial purposes" Barzaga wrote.[14]

Party-list system reform

Barzaga also advocates for political reform for the party-list system.[9]

Death penalties

Littering

Barzaga stated that "Penalties for small crimes like littering should gradually become more severe for repeat offenders.", if the offender reaches the 50th offense, they should get imprisoned and by the 100th offense, they should get the death penalty,[15] however, the death penalty was abolished nation wide in the Philippines in 2006.[16] Barzaga later defended this proposal. [17]

Animal abusers

Barzaga also proposed legislation for the death penalty of animal abusers by firing squad.[18]

Mass murderers and rapists

Barzaga proposed the death penalty for mass murderers and child rapists, stating "Mass murderers and child rapists deserve the death penalty" and adding "Why waste government resources keeping alive in prison for decades when there's a simpler way to deal with them?".[19][20]

Minors who committed rape

Barzaga indirectly said "Rapists, including minors, must be given the death penalty...If you're still a minor and you're already sexually abusing people, there's no future for you in our society," [21]

Animal welfare

Malasakit Center

Inspired by Senator Bong Go's Malasakit Centers, Barzaga wants to provide medical assistance for cats and dogs and create a Malasakit Center for them.[22][23]

Electoral performance

2025

CandidatePartyVotes%
Kiko BarzagaNUP165,94250.37
Jesse FraniIndependent150,31645.63
Osmundo CalupadIndependent9,5832.91
Leysander OrdenesPLM3,5911.09
Total329,432100.00
Registered voters/turnout432,844–
NUP hold
Source: [7][24]

References

  1. ^ "2025 NLE COC of Barzaga, Kiko for House Representative of Cavite's 4th District" (PDF).
  2. ^ Bueza, Michael (2019-08-30). "MAP: Major political families in PH after the 2019 elections". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  3. ^ "City Of Dasmariñas - Cavite | Eleksyon 2022 | GMA News Online". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  4. ^ Leon, Dwight de (2025-03-04). "2025 polls in Cavite: Few competitive races, most dynasties have no contest". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
  5. ^ "Cavite congressman Barzaga dies at 74". www.philstar.com. 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  6. ^ Oliquino, Edjen (2024-04-27). "Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. passes away at 74". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  7. ^ a b Leon, Dwight de (2025-05-13). "Barzaga dynasty wins seats for mayor, vice mayor, congressman in Dasmariñas". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  8. ^ Gaborne, King Kenneth (2025-05-17). "Kiko Barzaga elected Cavite congressman, takes over late father's post". Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  9. ^ a b News5Everywhere (2025-05-23). Kilalanin ang Viral Gen Z Congressman ng Dasmariñas, Cavite (Video). Retrieved 2025-07-01 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Shay Du, James Patrick Cruz (2025-07-28). "LIST: Who are in the House majority, minority blocs in 20th Congress?". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  11. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-07-29). "'Congressmeow' Barzaga, 3 'House Hotshots' named assistant majority leaders". Manila Bulletin.
  12. ^ "KIKO BARZAGA CAMPAIGN JINGLE 2025". March 28, 2025.
  13. ^ Mendoza, Ralph (2025-05-24). "Espiritu kay Barzaga: 'Nailagay ka sa pwesto kasi dinastiya ka!'". balita.mb.com.ph.
  14. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-06-20). "What is Kiko Barzaga's take on AI? Read on". Manila Bulletin.
  15. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-07-25). "For Kiko Barzaga, littering should be punished with death penalty if..." Manila Bulletin.
  16. ^ "Philippines bans death penalty". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  17. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-07-28). "Kiko Barzaga defends proposal to impose death penalty on recidivist litterers". Manila Bulletin.
  18. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-08-02). "Death penalty for animal cruelty? Yes, says 'Congressmeow' Barzaga". Manila Bulletin.
  19. ^ Garcia, Kate (2025-08-10). "'Congressmeow' nais na din isulong death penalty sa mass murderers, rapists". balita.mb.com.ph.
  20. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-08-09). "'Tapusin! Tapusin!': Kiko Barzaga doesn't want to keep murderers, rapists alive in jail". Manila Bulletin.
  21. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-08-16). "'Wala nang future?': Kiko Barzaga says minors who commit rape should be executed". Manila Bulletin.
  22. ^ Tolentino, Ariel Jerald (2025-08-11). "Kiko Barzaga wants Malasakit Center for cats, dogs". politiko.com.ph. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
  23. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-08-10). "'Meowlasakit Centers', anyone? Barzaga inspired by Bong Go's signature program". Manila Bulletin.
  24. ^ "2025 NLE Results".
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