Malacañang labels Barzaga's comments on Marcos's ouster as 'seditious'

Malacañang on Wednesday hit back at Cavite Representative Kiko Barzaga after he called for the ouster of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., saying that the lawmaker's statement was already inciting to sedition. 

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked for comment on the remarks made by Barzaga that it was Marcos who ordered him to be jailed and that he should be removed from being President.

''Iyan ang problema sa atin, ‘di ba. So, alam naman natin kung sino ang nagdemanda kay Congressman Kiko Barzaga. Alam din naman niya kung sino ang nagdemanda sa kaniya at alam din naman niya kung kailan siya humingi ng apologies dahil sa kaniyang ginawa – hindi ito maikakaila. So, paano niya masasabi na ang Pangulo ang nagpakulong sa kaniya. Hindi siya sinasampahan ng Pangulo ng anumang kaso kahit anong klaseng paninira ang ginagawa niya,'' Castro said. 

(That's the problem. We all know who sued Congressman Kiko Barzaga. He also knows when he issued an apology because of what he did. He cannot deny that. So, how can he say that it was the President who wants him to be jailed? The President did not file any charges against him despite his remarks.)

Asked if Barzaga's remarks were inciting to sedition, Castro said, ''Obviously, yes.''

GMA News Online has reached out to Barzaga for comment but he has yet to reply as of posting time.

Barzaga surrendered to authorities on Monday night after a warrant of arrest was issued in connection with cyber libel charges filed against him. He posted bail at 10:25 p.m. and was released.

The arrest warrant was issued by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 147. 

To recall, it was businessman Enrique Razon, Deputy Speaker Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno, and Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano whoe filed cyberlibel complaints against Barzaga over his Facebook post on January 9, in which he said, “NUP (National Unity Party) Congressmen received bribes from Enrique Razon in various gatherings in Solaire prior to the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez [of Leyte].”

The neophyte lawmaker has said Marcos should be ousted as he "stole" money from flood control projects and he allowed gasoline prices to increase.

Castro said people like Barzaga have no conscience. 

''Sa mga ganitong klaseng tao po, alam natin, may mga taong fake news peddler, obstructionist, destabilizer, sakim sa kapangyarihan. Itong mga taong ito ay hindi na natin po papaharapin sa salamin para tingnan ang kanilang konsensiya dahil wala silang konsensiya,'' Castro said.

(We know that there are fake news peddlers, obstructionists, destabilizers, and those who are greedy for power. We'll no longer let them face the mirror, as they have no conscience.) 

''Kayo na lang po, sa mainstream media at matitinong nasa socmed, kayo na po ang humarap sa salamin at tanungin ninyo, 'Totoo ba itong sinasabi ni Congressman Kiko Barzaga?'” she added.

(The mainstream media and those in social media should ask if what Congressman Kiko Barzaga was saying was true.) —VAL, GMA News