Vice President Sara Duterte publicly expressed support for former Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga following his expulsion from the House of Representatives, praising him for allegedly refusing to conform to corruption and political pressure.

In an open letter posted on Wednesday, June 3, Duterte addressed Barzaga on social media, saying, “being different is okay,” and encouraging him to remain true to his principles despite criticism and political backlash.

“It takes grit to be yourself in a world that rewards conformity,” Duterte told Barzaga.

“Not everyone will understand your choices or the path you take, and that's okay,” she said. “What matters is staying true to who you are and what you believe in,” she added.

The Vice President compared Barzaga’s situation to her own experiences, saying she had also been labeled “crazy” and “stupid” for refusing to follow established political norms.

“Ako man ay itinuturing na kakaiba. Ilang beses na akong tinawag na baliw, bobo, at kung anu-ano pa dahil lamang sa pagtangging sumunod sa nakasanayan. (I too am considered different. I have been called crazy, stupid, and all sorts of names simply because I refuse to conform to what is customary),” she added.

Duterte further defended Barzaga by claiming he had never been involved in child abuse, corruption, or illegal activities, while accusing unnamed officials of allowing “cocaine and alcohol” to flow from government offices.

“You are different because you have never been convicted of child abuse, never brought home ‘maletas’ of public funds, never allowed cocaine and alcohol to flow from your office, and never said yes to corruption and oppression,” Duterte said.

In a political climate where loyalty is often measured by numbers, Duterte offered Barzaga a message about standing firm even in isolation — saying that walking alone still requires courage, conviction, and strength of character.

“It takes courage to charge forward even if no one will follow you,” Duterte told Barzaga, noting that his resolve is a daily reminder that “character matters more” than conformity. “The strength you show inspires more Filipinos than you may ever know,” she added.

The Vice President also wished Barzaga well after mentioning that he was reportedly suffering from a cold.

“Mahal ka ng Diyos, mga Caviteño, mga Dabawenyo, mga agila at ng mga pusa. (God loves you — the people of Cavite, the people of Davao, the eagles, and the cats),” Duterte said.

Barzaga, a known cat lover and an advocate of animal welfare, was officially expelled from the House during a plenary session on the night of June 2 after lawmakers adopted the recommendation of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The expulsion was approved through a 265-14-8 vote.

The ethics panel found Barzaga guilty of “disorderly behavior” and conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress, citing repeated disruptions during plenary sessions, controversial social media posts, unauthorized livestreams from the session hall, and alleged mockery of House leadership.

Committee chairman and 4Ps Party-list Representative JC Abalos said the House decided to impose the “harshest penalty” after Barzaga had already served two previous 60-day suspensions without pay.

The ethics complaint that led to the expulsion stemmed from allegations made by Barzaga linking Iloilo lawmakers to the death of a vice mayor involving an accidental firearm discharge.

Barzaga’s removal from Congress came just 338 days into his term in the 20th Congress, making him one of the rare lawmakers expelled by the chamber.

The controversy has also drawn political attention because the number of lawmakers who voted to expel Barzaga exceeded those who previously voted to impeach Duterte in the House earlier this year.