Four lawmakers from Davao City, led by Paolo Duterte, have issued a statement opposing the possible extension of the suspension of Cavite Fourth District Rep. Kiko Barzaga.

Also signing the letter were Davao City Second and Third District Reps. Omar Vincent Duterte and Isidro Ungab, as well as PPP Party-list Rep. Harold James Duterte.

The letter, titled “Explanation of negative vote on the extension of suspension of Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga,” was addressed to House Speaker Faustino Dy and also mentioned House Majority Leader and Committee on Rules Chairman Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos.

“A handful of members of the House Ethics Committee should not supersede the will of the thousands of the voters who elected him to represent the 4th District of Cavite,” the statement read.

“We reiterate our full support for Rep. Barzaga and call for respect for his rights and more importantly, for the voters who entrusted him with their voice in Congress,” it continued.

The lawmakers also said that parties who feel legally wronged or defamed should seek redress in the courts rather than elevate the matter to the House Ethics Committee.

In December, the House of Representatives voted 249–5 to impose a 60-day suspension without pay on Barzaga for what it described as “disorderly behavior,” stemming from what were characterized as “reckless” and “inflammatory” social media posts.

An extension of Barzaga’s suspension has been floated following his continued social media activity during the 60-day suspension period.