Billionaire versus ‘Meow Meow’

By Herbert Vego

NOW showing on YouTube are contents about billionaire businessman Enrique “

Ricky” Razon Jr., who has filed a cyber libel complaint against Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

It all started when Barzaga posted on Facebook on January 9, 2026 an allegation that Razon had bribed certain congressmen to support Rep. Martin Romualdez, who was running for re-election for Speaker in July 2025.

If that were so, why is he “meowing” only now?

Is he under the delusion that he is a David fighting the giant Goliath?

While writing this, I searched for the alleged libelous quotation on Barzaga’s FB page but it had been deleted.  But he moved on to accuse Razon of greed with these words:

“Enrique Razon is seeking over 100 million pesos in damages? You’re already the richest man in the country and you still want more? This is the type of greed that the Bible warns about.”

In another post, he wrote, “If I am to be killed fighting Enrique Razon, I want all of my money and property to go to stray animals.”

Under the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175), cyber libel is punishable by imprisonment from four years, two months, and one day to eight years, or a substantial fine.

Barzaga’s statements are not protected by parliamentary immunity because they were posted on a personal online account rather than during official legislative proceedings.

Barzaga, currently serving a 60-day House suspension for previous controversial posts, vowed to face Razon in court and on the floor of the House to present evidence against Razon.

I see no reason why anybody in his right mind would believe Kiko.

As a self-made billionaire with legitimate business ventures, why would Razon bribe congressmen to fund the ambition of a congressman who is perceived as a billionaire, too?

Barzaga, on the other hand, comes from a family known for being only in politics.

With that in mind, Razon asked, “How did they become wealthy? Where does the cash that he posts in pictures come from? He belongs to another kind of institution, not Congress.”

That must be the reason why he “meows” like his pet cat even inside the session hall.

Any other reputable businessman of his stature would naturally seek to fend off attacks against innuendos that could harm his reputation.

Enrique K. Razon Jr., 65, is the second richest man in the Philippines today with a net worth of US $11.5 billion, according to Forbes Phillippines, inching closer to the richest Sy siblings of SM Holdings with $11.8 billion.

He owns the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), the port-handling giant here in the Philippines and abroad; and the world-class Solaire Casino and Resort in Manila.

His family has been with the ports industry since they started in the country. It was his grandfather who initiated the port-servicing business in 1916, which his father later rebuilt after World War II.

Every Ilonggo must have already heard of Razon as the investor behind three distribution utilities, namely MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) in Iloilo, the Negros Electric and Power Corp. in Bacolod City and Bohol Light in Tagbilaran, Bohol.

-oOo-

IT’S SEC KIKO, NOT SEN KIKO

IN a previous column, I made the mistake of turning Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan into the new boss of retired regional director Toni June “TJ” Tamayo of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It should have been Secretary Francis “Kiko” Benitez of TESDA who had asked him to be one of his consultants.

Benitez has tapped the right Ilonggo with nine years of assignment as TESDA regional director in eight regions from 2016 to 2025.

Tamayo’s better half, Dinda Tamayo, was also a regional director until her recent retirement from the Department of Trade, Region 6.

I know of no other spouses reaching the same regional-level positions. Congrats!