Sara on Barzaga’s suspension: Truth being silenced

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December 4, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Cavite lawmaker Francisco Barzaga has found an ally in his current woes: Vice President Sara Duterte.

“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 yesterday.

Barzaga was slapped with a 60-day suspension with no pay and benefits as a result of his disorderly behavior in the House of Representatives and for reportedly showing conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress.

Duterte, however, said this was not the first time a critic of the government was punished, recalling that her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was kidnapped and that inciting to sedition charges were filed against her.

“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 added.

Ironically, stifling of dissent was prevalent during the Duterte administration, with journalists experiencing constant harassment and red-tagging from the government.

Duterte also mentioned that every Filipino has the right to freedom of expression, especially public servants who have the responsibility to reveal the truth.

“So if they could silence an elected official such as Cong. Barzaga, what about the ordinary Filipinos who have no power or position?” the Vice President said.