NPC Seal of Registration
PEP.ph has been granted the NPC Seal of Registration in recognition of the successful registration of its DPO and DPS
Since time immemorial, politics in Cavite has been a family affair.
Dynasties have risen and ruled, with surnames doubling as brands of governance.
Into this well-worn tradition steps a meow pun-loving congressman who goes by the name Kiko Barzaga.
At 27, the youngest Barzaga to claim a seat in congress, he shoulders both his lineage and his quirks with equal audacity.
His name has been floating around amid the unfolding flood-control corruption scandal—a web of controversy involving contractors, lawmakers, and whole districts.
What earns Kiko his notoriety is his tendency to break ranks.
To name a few, he resigned from the House majority, quit the National Unity Party, filed an ethics complaint against Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, and took aim at Speaker Martin Romualdez over alleged irregularities in government projects.
Every controversy has its recurring cast of characters—and in the trillion-peso corruption saga, Kiko has secured a role for himself.
Read: Philippine Flood Control Corruption Scandal: A Timeline
His full name is Francisco Austria Barzaga, though he is more widely recognized by his nickname Kiko.
On the national stage, however, he has also fashioned a moniker, “congressmeow,” which reflects both his Gen Z persona and his advocacy.
The endearment was coined from his push for animal welfare programs, particularly spay-and-neuter drives and accessible veterinary services.
Kiko was born on September 12, 1998. That makes him 27 years old in 2025.
As a Virgo born in the Year of the Tiger, his signs suggest someone often described as sharp-minded, determined, and resilient.
Born and raised in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Kiko Barzaga is the Representative for the 4th District.
Locally known as “Dasma,” the city is among the most populous in Cavite, with more than 700,000 residents.
It has long served as both a bedroom community for Metro Manila workers and a commercial hub in its own right, thanks to its sprawling malls, residential subdivisions, and educational institutions.
Landmarks such as De La Salle University–Dasmariñas and SM City Dasmariñas reflect the city's unique blend of academia, commerce, and suburban life.
Kiko comes from one of Cavite’s most entrenched political dynasties.
His father, the late Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., served as Dasmariñas’s long-time lawmaker until his death on April 27, 2024.
His mother, Jenny Austria-Barzaga, is the current mayor of Dasmariñas, a position she has held since 2019. She previously served as mayor from 2007 to 2016.
Kiko’s siblings are also active in politics.
Elpidio “Third” Barzaga III is the vice mayor of Dasmariñas, while his other brother, Lorenzo, is also publicly visible as part of the Barzaga political lineage.
On the topic of nepotism, the 27-year-old congressman didn't bristle at the criticism.
Talking to Ogie Diaz in a YouTube vlog, he proudly claimed the title: “I mean that's where it first starts. You have to admit that you are a product of nepotism.
“I myself, am a product of political dynasty, and not just a political dynasty. We are one of the oldest dynasties in Cavite if you trace back to the history.
“Kasi ako, my namesake, Francisco Barzaga, it came from Francisco E. Barzaga, who, during the Spanish times, after we gained independence, was actually one of the first politicians in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
“Kaya pag pumunta ka ng Dasma, may FEB na school, may FEB building yung La Salle doon.
“That's where you will see that, yes, it is true. We have a long history in politics.
“If I deny that, then I'm denying myself. I am a product of nepotism.”
Kiko’s academic journey has met its own speedbumps.
He admitted he only enrolled in college after beginning his political career.
In 2019, at just 20 years old, he was elected as a city councilor of Dasmariñas—even before entering higher education.
It wasn’t until 2022, after the pandemic, that he finally enrolled at De La Salle University–Dasmariñas to pursue a degree in Political Science.
By then, however, balancing local governance with coursework proved difficult.
His grades were decent, but conflicting exam schedules in December and April, along with his commitments to district Christmas parties and public duties, often kept him away from class.
By 2025, in the middle of his third year, he admitted he could no longer keep up.
Without filing a leave of absence, he took an unplanned two-month break and eventually stopped pursuing the degree altogether, as the campaign for congress consumed his days.
Kiko has since expressed interest in transferring to Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas (KLD) to experience the public college system firsthand and to reconnect with his constituents on a student level.
He told Ogie Diaz in the same interview, “I plan on taking… on taking veterinary courses, veterinary technicians, veterinary nursing, and hopefully veterinary medicine.”
Finally, as he put it himself: “Wag niyong masyadong isipin na well-educated ako. I’m just average.”
As a lawmaker, Kiko's advocacy is not far from the brand and image he projects.
Known to many as “Congressmeow,” he leans into his cat-themed persona to highlight a platform centered on animal welfare.
He has described himself as pro-posadog—a term he uses to signal his commitment to caring for stray cats and dogs.
In Dasmariñas, he rolled out spay-and-neuter programs to manage stray populations, with the long-term goal of seeing the initiative adopted nationwide.
Drawing inspiration from Senator Bong Go’s Malasakit Centers, Kiko has also proposed the establishment of “Meow-lasakit Centers” or facilities designed to provide affordable and accessible veterinary care.
Read: “Congressmeow” Barzaga gustong paimbestigahan si Martin Romualdez
Outside of politics and cat puns, Kiko is quick to frame himself as an athlete at heart, having dabbled in multiple combat sports.
In boxing, he holds two fights under his belt with a one-win record.
He recalled the difficulty of fighting opponents with longer reach: “Yung kalaban ko kasi ano, e, ang haba nung kamay niya. Yung last na kalaban ko sa UK, may reach advantage.”
His foray into taekwondo has been more casual, though he proudly sports a black belt.
By his own admission, “Decent. Not good so far. But pag mga sparring training naman sa team ko, I do well compared to the other students.”
It is in arnis, however, where he shines the brightest.
Kiko is a two-time champion at the Cavite Pro-Active Arnis competition, clinching back-to-back gold medals in consecutive months.
“Sa arnis, dun ako magaling. Two-time champion, Cavite Pro-Active arnis, gold medalist. Two times straight last month, and last, last month,” he said with pride.
He even experiments with fencing, albeit with less seriousness.
Dasmariñas's Congressmeow may be single, but his hectic schedule keeps him off the market.
He reasoned in the same vlog with Ogie: “I think we are in a very pivotal moment in our country right now, which will determine the courses that the government will take in the future.
“And, para sa love life, wala akong masabi. I can say a lot of things about politics, but, love life, enjoy muna habang single.
“Date-date, casual but, like, I can't commit to any serious relationship right now.
“There's so many things on my mind and so many things that I'm responsible for, that I have responsibility to, that any serious relationship is practically impossible.”
Kiko vaulted into the headlines when he publicly broke from the National Unity Party on September 10, 2025, and called for an investigation into House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s alleged links to anomalies in flood-control projects.
His move came as senate and house hearings on the scandal gripped the nation with twists, featuring contractors Curlee Discaya and Sarah Discaya, along with a growing cast of implicated politicians.
While other figures spoke in hints, “Congressmeow” Barzaga turned heads by bluntly naming Romualdez as someone who should be scrutinized.
He brazenly admitted to being anti–Bongbong Marcos, and his Facebook posts—as well as his antics during congressional sessions—are a testament to that.
Some netizens have labeled him a “Duterte supporter,” claiming that his taunting actions and provocative statements show implicit support for Vice President Sara Duterte.
But in a Facebook post dated September 19, he wrote: “Kahit pa si Bimby Aquino gawin niyong Presidente, goods sakin basta huwag lang si Marcos.”
Bimby is the son of Kris Aquino and James Yap, the nephew of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and the grandson of former President Corazon Aquino.
Barzaga continued pressing the issue on social media, framing Romualdez as “untouchable.”
In one post accompanied by a cat image, he clarified that his intent was not to declare the Speaker guilty, but to show that power had shielded him from serious inquiry.
On September 24, 2025, Kiko Barzaga extended his tirades against the Romualdez family following a Department of Justice (DOJ) hearing.
In a now-viral video uploaded on his personal Facebook account, he is seen approaching Sandro Marcos, the eldest son of President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.
After exchanging pleasantries, he pointedly asked: “Kumusta na yung kaso ni Tito Romualdez mo?”
When Sandro did not respond, Barzaga teased: “O, ayaw sumagot, ayaw sumagot, natatakot.”
To some, his moves are bold. To others, he's just chasing the spotlight.
Some find him annoying; others see him as a much-needed breath of fresh air.
So what is he, really? His story is definitely not over yet.
Featured Searches:
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on PEP.ph. By continued use, you agree to our privacy policy and accept our use of such cookies. Find out more here.
Leave a Comment