Who is Kiko Barzaga? Biography, Political Career, and Background

Francisco “Kiko” Austria Barzaga (born September 12, 1998) is a young Filipino politician and animal welfare advocate. In 2025, he was elected as the representative of Cavite’s 4th District, making him one of the youngest lawmakers in the 20th Congress of the Philippines, second only to Tingog party-list representative Andrew Julian Romualdez.

Early Life and Family Background

Kiko Barzaga was born in Dasmariñas, Cavite to Elpidio Barzaga Jr., then mayor of Dasmariñas, and Jenny Austria-Barzaga, who was a barangay councilor in San Simon at the time. He grew up in a family deeply involved in local politics, making him part of the Barzaga political dynasty in Cavite.

He has two younger brothers:

• Elpidio “Third” Barzaga III, who currently serves as Vice Mayor of Dasmariñas.

• Lorenzo Barzaga, who is also involved in local politics.

Entry into Politics

Kiko began his political career at a very young age. He first ran for a seat in the Dasmariñas City Council in the 2019 elections, where he won. He was re-elected in 2022 and during this time, he became the president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Cavite Chapter. His position also gave him an ex officio seat at the Cavite Provincial Board.

Rise to Congress

In 2025, Barzaga campaigned for a congressional seat. His campaign stood out because of its unique style—he heavily associated his campaign with cats and used a viral campaign jingle, a cover of Haring Manggi Miguelito Malakas’s song “Lupaypay.” The song was even sung by Haring Manggi himself, which made it more popular online.

Despite criticism from labor leader and senatorial candidate Luke Espiritu, who argued that Barzaga’s victory was more due to his family’s influence than his campaign style, Barzaga won and became the representative of Cavite’s 4th District.

Role in the House of Representatives

After joining the House, Barzaga supported House Speaker Martin Romualdez and was named part of the majority bloc on July 28, 2025. The following day, July 29, 2025, he was appointed Assistant Majority Leader under Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos.

However, his stay in the majority bloc was short. On September 10, 2025, Barzaga resigned as Assistant Majority Leader and left the National Unity Party (NUP). This happened after he was accused by Deputy Speaker and NUP chairman Ronaldo Puno of soliciting signatures to remove Speaker Romualdez—a charge that Barzaga strongly denied. After this controversy, he left the majority bloc and joined the minority group in Congress.

Advocacy and Image

Aside from politics, Barzaga is also known as an animal welfare advocate. His campaign’s use of cat imagery and themes helped him build a unique identity among younger voters and social media audiences.

Quick Facts about Kiko Barzaga

• Full Name: Francisco “Kiko” Austria Barzaga

• Birthday: September 12, 1998

• Age (2025): 27 years old

• Hometown: Dasmariñas, Cavite

• Political Positions Held:

  • Dasmariñas City Councilor (2019–2025)

  • President, PCL Cavite Chapter (2022–2025)

  • Representative, Cavite 4th District (2025–present)

  • Assistant Majority Leader (July–Sept 2025, resigned)

• Political Party: Formerly with the National Unity Party (NUP), now part of the minority bloc

• Known For: Viral 2025 campaign with cats, advocacy for animal welfare, and being one of the youngest congressmen in Philippine history

FAQ Section

Who is Kiko Barzaga?
Kiko Barzaga is a Filipino politician, Cavite’s 4th District representative, and an animal welfare advocate.

How old is Kiko Barzaga?
He was born on September 12, 1998, making him 27 years old in 2025.

Which political party does Kiko Barzaga belong to?
He was formerly part of the National Unity Party (NUP) but joined the minority bloc in 2025.

What is Kiko Barzaga known for?
He is known for being one of the youngest lawmakers in the Philippines and for his viral campaign centered around cats.