MANILA, Philippines – Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. denied news reports claiming it was his grandson who was nabbed in a drug raid in Dasmariñas two weeks ago.
In a privilege speech on Tuesday, Barzaga said Harrel Barzaga Gatus, 39, is not his grandson but that of his cousin Norberto Barzaga, to whom the Barzaga compound, which housed the suspected shabu den, was named after.
Reports said Barzaga’s grandson was arrested with four others in a raid that yielded methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and drug paraphernalia. The operation was conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Feb. 6.
“Harrel Barzaga is not my direct descendant. He is the direct descendant of my cousin Norberto Barzaga whom the compound where the apprehension took place was named after,” Barzaga said.
This would mean since Norberto is a 4th degree relative in the collateral line, and Harrel is already a far 6th degree relative, the lawmaker said.
Rep. Barzaga lamented the reports for concluding the suspected drug pusher was his grandson only to get the juicier angle.
“Ngunit kung ilalagay sa pahayagan at telebisyon na ang apo ng pinsan ni Congressman Pidi Barzaga ay nahuli sa droga, hindi mabigat ang dating at mawawalan ng interes ang ating mga mamamayan,” he said.
He said it is also illogical for him to have a 39-year-old grandson since his children are still young.
The lawmaker said a journalist even called him about the incident and asked if he has a child out of wedlock.
“It would be impossible for me to have a thirty-nine-year-old grandson since I can categorically state that I do not have any offspring born out of wedlock and my eldest child will turn 17 this September. Therefore, the claim that Harrel is my grandson defies logic and reason,” the veteran lawmaker and lawyer said.
Barzaga urged the House to conduct an investigation so that the NBI would be more careful in releasing unverified information to the media.
“Otherwise, misleading reports from a law enforcement agency such as the NBI definitely pose danger to elected public officials like us and even to private individuals,” Barzaga said.
The lawmaker also called for the media to be more responsible in reporting.
“In the interest of justice and fairplay, I have to stand up on behalf of all public officials whose names might be greatly damaged by the abuse of the freedom of speech which is not only a right but more so a responsibility of those who openly exercise it: the media. Thus, we always clamor for responsible journalism,” Barzaga said.