Sara Duterte denounces Barzaga's suspension

Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday denounced the suspension of Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga, calling it another effort to silence individuals criticizing the Marcos administration.

"The suspension of Rep. Kiko Barzaga is part of a series of efforts to silence voices that speak uncomfortable truths," Duterte said in a statement.

According to the Vice President, the suspension was a result of the lawmaker’s remarks against the government.

"This is not the first time that critics of the government have been met with punitive action. In less than a year, we witnessed the kidnapping of a former President and the filing of inciting to sedition charges against several individuals—including myself—simply because we dared to question those in power," Duterte said.

Just like other Filipinos, Barzaga had a right to free speech, the Vice President argued.

"In a nation that takes pride in democracy, dissent should not be treated as a threat. The right to speak freely is not granted by those in power; it is a fundamental right guaranteed and protected by our very Constitution," she said.

"Karapatan ito ng bawat Pilipino, lalo na ng mga lingkod-bayan na may tungkuling magsiwalat ng katotohanan. Kaya kung ang isang halal ng bayan tulad ni Cong. Barzaga ay maaaring patahimikin, paano pa ang mga ordinaryong Pilipinong wala namang kapangyarihan o posisyon?" the Vice President added.

Duterte emphasized that she will stand with every Filipino who refuses to be intimidated.

"Democracy demands courage. Democracy demands the freedom to speak and the freedom to question," she pointed out.

The House of Representatives has suspended Barzaga for 60 days after he was found guilty of disorderly behavior in relation to his allegedly inappropriate social media posts.