Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano expressed support for the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office following its decision to advance a cyberlibel case against former Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga.
The case has been formally elevated to the Manila Regional Trial Court for trial.
Valeriano stressed that the lawsuit is not about political rivalry, but rather about setting boundaries for responsible public discourse.
“Malaya ang bawat Pilipino na magpahayag ng opinyon at pumuna sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan. Pero walang sinuman ang may karapatang mambato ng mga paratang na walang ebidensiya at sirain ang dangal ng kapwa,” Valeriano stated.
He further asserted that online networks must not be exploited to escape accountability for defamation.
“Hindi lisensya ang social media para manira. Kung may ebidensiya, ilabas. Kung wala, may pananagutan sa batas,” he added.
Reaffirming his confidence in the judiciary, the Manila lawmaker said he is ready to let the legal process run its course based purely on the merits of the case.
“Sampalataya ako sa due process. Ang korte ang tamang venue para alamin ang katotohanan. Hahayaan kong ebidensiya na ang mangusap dyan,” he noted.
The formal indictment stems from a finding of sufficient initial evidence that Barzaga violated the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 in relation to the Revised Penal Code.
The legal dispute began over a January 9 social media post wherein Barzaga claimed that members of the National Unity Party accepted payouts to support Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez’s successful 2022 speakership campaign.