Vice President Sara Duterte rejected claims that Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga is acting under her influence and getting order from his family amid his growing criticisms of the Marcos administration.

“Hindi ko pakawala si Kiko Barzaga,” Duterte told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday.

“Sa tingin nyo ba, sa personality ni Congressman Kiko Barzaga, isa siyang tao na ma-handle na kahit sino man? Diba? Makikita nyo naman yung kanyang independence sa pag-iisip. Makikita nyo din yung kanyang lakas ng loob. Makikita nyo din yung prinsipyo niya," she added.

Barzaga became known for his viral online posts and outspoken stance against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Duterte said Barzaga is not someone she can control or influence.

She pointed out that Barzaga’s independent nature has long been evident, noting that even his parents did not support the UniTeam alliance in 2022 while Barzaga himself did.

"I do not control Cong. Kiko Barzaga, he is his own person. He has his own principles and he has his own free will. There is nothing wrong at all with what he is doing because as I said, tayong lahat, we are covered by the freedom of speech and expression," she noted.

The Vice President emphasized that there is "nothing wrong at all" with Barzaga’s criticisms of the Marcos administration, citing freedom of speech and expression as fundamental rights.

"Unfortunately, meron tayong administration na hindi nila matanggap na meron talagang mga tao na. Number one, hindi natatakot, at number two, hindi nabibili ng pera," Duterte said.

Barzaga, a first-term lawmaker and former UniTeam supporter, has recently made headlines for openly calling for President Marcos’s resignation. He has accused the government of involvement in multi-billion-peso anomalies in flood control projects and has urged Filipinos to stage a “people power” movement.

On October 12, Barzaga joined an anti-Marcos rally outside Forbes Park in Makati City, where he again called for accountability over alleged corruption in the government.

Meanwhile, Barzaga is facing an ethics complaint in the House of Representatives, which he failed to attend on October 13 after admitting he had stayed up late playing computer games.

Duterte was asked about her inclusion in a group that previously joined calls for Marcos to resign. She clarified that she was not part of the movement and has never made such a statement.