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The head of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. is taking to court a politician who accused him of corruption on social media
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Enrique Razon Jr., ICTSI chairman and president, filed on January 14 a cyber libel complaint against Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco Barzaga
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Barzaga on Facebook claimed the businessman bribed lawmakers to support former speaker Martin Romualdez and is the “mastermind” of corruption in Congress
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In his filing, Razon said the posts – with the hashtag #IkulongSiRazon (jail Razon)– constitutes criminal defamation
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ICTSI is a consistent awardee of various national and international business-related awards, including those that recognize brand reputation, governance, and social responsibility
The head of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) – the Philippines’ biggest container terminal operator and a leading global player with a portfolio of 34 terminals across 20 countries – is not taking a politician’s accusations of corruption lightly.
Enrique Razon Jr., ICTSI chairman and president, on January 14 filed a cyber libel complaint against Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco Barzaga, who made social media posts claiming that the businessman bribed lawmakers to support former House of Representatives speaker Martin Romualdez, who was running unopposed for the top Lower House post last year.
Razon filed two counts of cyber libel against Barzaga before the Makati prosecutor’s office, seeking at least P100 million in moral damages and P10 million in exemplary damages.
Barzaga has already deleted the Facebook posts — with the hashtag #IkulongSiRazon (jail Razon) — made on January 9 where he called Razon “the mastermind” behind corruption in Congress.
The complaint revolves around Barzaga’s Facebook post that read: “NUP (National Unity Party) Congressmen received bribes from Enrique Razon in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez [of Leyte],” according to Razon’s counsel, Atty. Laurence Arroyo.
Solaire is a high-end hotel and casino owned by Razon.
In his complaint, Razon said “While he may have already deleted his defamatory statements, the lies that he let loose have already taken flight and caused harm. The imputations by respondent Barzaga of “corruption” and “bribery” on my part are patently malicious.”
The ICTSI chief denied being the ““mastermind behind the corruption in Congress”, noting he has not bribed “NUP Congressmen” — or any Member of Congress for that matter. He cannot prove that I am the “mastermind behind the corruption in Congress” or that “NUP Congressmen received bribes” from me “in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez”—because these things simply never happened.”
A neophyte House representative and one of the youngest at 27, Barzaga has become controversial in recent months after announcing his intent to be House speaker and other subsequent politically-charged pronouncements.
The head of ICTSI, a Philippine listed company and whose shares are part of major global indices such as the MSCI index, said Barzaga’s posts constitute criminal defamation.
ICTSI is a consistent awardee of various national and international business-related awards. Last year, it was recognized as the Philippines’ leading company for intangible asset intensity in the 2025 Global Innovation Index. This award highlights the growing importance of non-physical assets in creating value, such as a company’s brand, proprietary systems, and expertise.
READ: ICTSI is top PH firm for intangible assets in 2025 Global Innovation Index
Razon’s other business ventures are in real estate, power, and water utility, among others.
READ: ICTSI wins case to operate Durban terminal over Maersk
