Larry Gadon Declines to Engage with Francis Barzaga Out of Respect for Family Ties

Presidential Adviser Larry Gadon has publicly stated that he will not engage in disputes with Cavite Representative Francis Barzaga, honoring the legacy of Barzaga's late father and the contributions of his mother. Gadon highlighted his friendship with the elder Barzaga, who was also his law professor, and expressed appreciation for the support Barzaga’s family provided during the 2022 Uniteam campaign.

"I will not insult Kiko Barzaga, out of respect for his late father, Congressman Pidi Barzaga, who was a friend and my professor in law school, and for his mother, who was one of the first signatories of the impeachment petition I filed against Lourdes Sereno, and for her support in our Uniteam campaign in 2022," Gadon said. He also acknowledged Mayor Jenny Barzaga for hosting the administration's Serbisyo Kalusugan and Trabaho caravan in Dasmariñas.

Gadon remarked on Barzaga’s previous collaboration during the Uniteam rally in Dasmariñas in 2022, where Barzaga sat beside him onstage. He added, "We appreciate the efforts of our allies. I only wish Kiko would mature more to avoid becoming a laughingstock in the House of Representatives and prevent ridicule."

Barzaga recently resigned from the National Unity Party (NUP) on September 10 and called for an investigation into then-Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. In response, Gadon publicly questioned the legitimacy of Barzaga’s demand.

Further escalating the exchange, Barzaga posted a social media graphic featuring a photo of Gadon with a cat image obscuring his face, paired with the caption: "Imbestigahan (Martin Romualdez) for what?" alongside his own image accompanied by the text: "Is that all? No sharp insults today? Or are you already afraid of me?"