VP: Marcos gov’t intimidating critics with sedition raps
Ahead of a weekend rally by the Iglesia ni Cristo and another group, Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday warned President Marcos’ administration against intimidating its critics with sedition charges.
“Inciting to sedition is what they’re using as a threat, and what I want to say is that the administration shouldn’t be too thin-skinned, because dissent is an essential aspect of democracy and good governance, and you cannot suppress it,” the Vice President told reporters during a gathering at the Office of the Vice President celebrating its 90th founding anniversary.
“You cannot just suppress people because it is the right of every person to speak about what’s been boggling their minds. If it’s not in favor of the administration or the entire government, they should respect that,” said Duterte, whose father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, had also been criticized for cracking down on dissent.
The Vice President was referring to the sedition charges filed against Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, a supporter of the Dutertes who was among those who led a protest rally outside Forbes Park, on Oct. 12.
“Like I said, the administration should not be onion-skinned just because the people are exercising their rights and fighting for democracy and good governance,” said the Vice President, who herself has been charged with sedition and grave threat after her online remarks last year threatening the lives of President Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte said she’s only waiting for the administration to send her to jail.
“I’m just waiting on when they will put me behind bars,” she said. “But apparently, until now, they still can’t build their strategy yet on how they will jail me because they have no substantial evidence that would pin me on their allegations.” —WITH A REPORT FROM ZACARIAN SARAO
