Cavite Rep. Francisco Barzaga said he would personally apologize to business tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. for accusing him of bribery, admitting that his statements were driven by a personal grudge.
Barzaga made the admission during the TNT Podcast hosted by columnist Ramon Tulfo and lawyer Clint Aranas, after a netizen asked whether he regretted going up against Razon.
The lawmaker had earlier accused Razon of bribing his former party mates in the National Unity Party to help Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez retain the House speakership under the 20th Congress.
Razon filed a cyberlibel case against Barzaga on January 14, seeking P110 million in moral and exemplary damages for alleged damage to his reputation and emotional distress.
Barzaga said his regret was “personal,” explaining that he developed resentment toward Razon after the businessman failed to attend the wake of his father, former Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., despite what he believed was a close relationship between them.
“I was actually looking forward to seeing him in my father’s funeral, but he was not there,” Barzaga said, adding that the absence later turned into a personal grudge.
He also claimed his father had told him that major developments within the NUP happened with Razon’s approval. Barzaga said he later learned that before his father’s death, the elder Barzaga had sent letters to several people, including Razon.
According to Barzaga, the letter to Razon expressed gratitude and appreciation but also asked the businessman not to attend the wake due to possible health risks, noting that Razon is also a senior citizen.
Barzaga is currently serving a 60-day suspension over inflammatory social media remarks. NUP chair and House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno earlier said it may be time to consider removing Barzaga from the chamber following his accusations against Razon.
