Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Claims Cong. Kiko Barzaga’s Suspension Allegedly Silencing of Voices that Speak “Uncomfortable Truths”
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President reacted to the 60-day suspension ordered by the House of Representatives against Cavite 4th District Congressman Kiko Barzaga.
The House of Representatives recently ruled to suspend Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga for disorderly behavior. The 60-day suspension of the young Congressman comes without pay. A total of 265 lawmakers were asked to vote on the House Ethics Committee’s recommendation to suspend Barzaga.
Cavite Cong. Kiko Barzaga’s suspension for 60 days came with a 249-5-11 voting result. He was found guilty of disorderly behavior due to his supposed inappropriate postings on social media. The young Congressman has become a vocal critic of the Marcos Jr. administration amid the flood control mess in the country.
Cong. Kiko Barzaga even blamed President Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over the deaths of many people due to a flood that struck Cebu. According to him, there was allegedly no fatalities if there was no stealing of government funds.
Amid his criticisms against Marcos Jr. and the administration, Cong. Kiko Barzaga was previously linked to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who junked their rumored ties. According to the Vice President, the young lawmaker is his own person who has his own principles and free will.
“Di ko pakawala si Kiko. Isa syang tao na mahirap kontrolin kahit sinuman. I do not control Kiko Barzaga,” she expressed.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte reacted to the 60-day suspension implemented by the House of Representatives on Cavite Cong. Kiko Barzaga. Based on a report on GMA News, the Vice President claimed that the suspension of the young Congressman is allegedly part of the supposed efforts of those who speak “uncomfortable truths”.
“This is not the first time that critics of the government have been met with punitive action,” Duterte expressed.
Based on the report, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also emphasized that the right speak freely is a “fundamental right guaranteed and protected by our very Constitution”. According to her, in a democratic country, “dissent should not be treated as a threat”.
“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.
Previously, Cavite Cong. Kiko Barzaga claimed he allegedly has an impeachment complaint against Marcos Jr. and the Palace reacted to his claim.