The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines —Vice President Sara Duterte comforted expelled Cavite Rep. Francisco Barzaga, telling him that "it's okay to be different" and to remain true to becoming who he is. Duterte issued the statement a day after Barzaga was dropped from the rolls by the House of Representatives for his repeated disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a lawmaker. In an open letter posted on Facebook on Wednesday, Duterte said that "being different is okay." "It takes grit to be yourself in a world that rewards conformity. Not everyone will understand your choices or the path you take, and that's okay. What matters is staying true to who you are and what you believe in," Duterte said. She also told Barzaga that she was also tagged as being "different" after being called as "crazy, dumb" and other things after she declined to follow what was normal. "You are different because you have never been convicted of child abuse, never brought home 'maletas' (suitcases) of public funds, never allowed cocaine and alcohol to flow from your office, and never said yes to corruption and oppression," Duterte said. She told Barzaga that it took courage to charge forward even if no one would follow and that his was a daily reminder that character mattered more than conformity. "The strength you show inspires more Filipinos than you may ever know," Duterte said. She told Barzaga that God, Caviteños, Davaoeños, the eagles, and cats love him. Barzaga said that he has no regrets in becoming a lawmaker and that he has done his job.
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