Photo courtesy from PTV

In a move aimed at fighting disinformation and rebuilding public trust, the House of Representatives has just named a new official voice—meet Atty. Princess Abante, the newly appointed spokesperson of the lower chamber.

She’s not only a seasoned lawyer and former Manila city councilor, she’s also the daughter of Manila Rep. Benny Abante, a longtime advocate for human rights and one of the key figures behind some of the House’s most critical investigations.

The announcement came through House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, and it’s part of Speaker Martin Romualdez’s push to ramp up transparency and improve how Congress communicates with the public.

In an era where “fake news” spreads faster than facts, the House believes it can no longer afford to stay silent. And Atty. Abante is stepping up to take on the challenge head-on.

“The House cannot afford to be silent while lies travel faster than truth,” she said. “We will speak with clarity, we will speak with purpose, and we will speak without hesitation.”

Atty. Abante isn’t a stranger to public service—or to public communication. Before this role, she led the Manila Public Information Office and served as spokesperson under the Office of the Mayor. She’s been in the trenches of both local governance and national policy work.

Now, as the face and voice of the House, her job will include delivering official statements, explaining legislation, and countering misinformation—not just for the sake of the House’s image, but, as she puts it, “to connect governance with the everyday lives of Filipinos.”

She’s also making it clear that her role isn’t just about playing defense.

“We are here to inform, not to inflame,” she said. “But if we need to call out falsehoods meant to discredit the House or its members, we will not hesitate. The public deserves no less than the truth.”

With degrees in Journalism and Law from the University of Santo Tomas, and a track record of legal and legislative work, Abante brings both brains and backbone to the post. She even served as a commissioner for the National Youth Commission years ago and handled high-profile cases at one of the country’s top law firms.

But what sets her apart? Maybe it’s her deeply rooted sense of service—shaped by years of working on the ground and guided, no doubt, by her father’s example.

Atty. Abante knows this won’t be an easy job. But for her, it’s not just about answering questions—it’s about sparking real understanding.

“Our work doesn’t end when we pass a law. It continues with how we explain that law to the people who are supposed to benefit from it,” she said.

At a time when trust in public institutions feels fragile, this appointment is clearly more than symbolic. It’s a signal that the House wants to be heard—clearly, truthfully, and directly.