Meet Princess Abante, the new House spokesperson

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'There is a need to strengthen communication from the House to ensure that accurate and truthful information reaches the people. We really don’t want fake news,' says Princess Abante, daughter of outgoing congressman Benny Abante

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives has named Princess Abante, daughter of outgoing Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante, as the official spokesperson of the House of Representatives.

It is a new post that the House has not had in recent memory.

A House press release said Secretary General Reginald Velasco issued the appointment. Abante said she has not spoken with Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“I will be working closely with our media friends in the House, give the official statements from the House leadership, give updates on the exciting times we are looking forward here in the coming months,” Abante said in a chance interview on Tuesday, May 26.

“There is a need to strengthen communication from the House to ensure that accurate and truthful information reaches the people. We really don’t want fake news, so we need to explain more clearly the policies being crafted by the government,” she added.

Abante was commissioner-at-large of the National Youth Commission from 2005 to 2009, then councilor of Manila’s 6th District from 2013 to 2022.

She was part of the 2022 presidential campaign of then-Manila mayor Isko Moreno, serving as spokesperson for the youth.

After the polls, the Manila local government under the leadership of Mayor Honey Lacuna designated Abante as spokesperson and head of communication.

Abante graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with degree in journalism. She also finished law in the same institution.

She was once part of Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas Law Firm, working as a litigation lawyer.

Her father Benny lost by 1.08-percentage points to his opponent Joey Uy in the race for Manila 6th representative in the last election.

Benny is a co-chairperson of the House quad committee, which has been investigating controversies that hounded the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, from drug war to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). He drew the ire of Vice President Sara Duterte, who endorsed his opponent. – Rappler.com