The House of Representatives has appointed lawyer Priscilla Marie Abante as its official spokesperson for the remainder of the 19th Congress, in a strategic move to counter disinformation and enhance public engagement.
The designation, issued by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, supports Speaker Martin Romualdez’s campaign for transparency and effective communication of legislative priorities and national policies.
Abante, daughter of Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante—chair of the House Committee on Human Rights and co-chair of the influential Quad Committee—brings legal expertise and communications experience to the role.
As spokesperson, she will serve as the primary voice of the House, delivering official statements, explaining legislative intent, and ensuring that congressional initiatives are accessible to the public.
“The House cannot afford to be silent while lies travel faster than truth. We will speak with clarity, with purpose, and without hesitation,” Abante said.
“We will report to the people only the facts. No fake news. Nothing more, nothing less, because this is our mandate to the Filipino people.”
She also stressed that the spokesperson’s role must go beyond press briefings.
“Our job is not just to respond. It is to educate, to clarify, and to be a consistent bridge between governance and the governed,” she said. “In a time when disinformation spreads quickly, our responsibility is to make sure truth travels just as fast—if not faster.”
Abante is a lawyer and former three-term Manila councilor, most recently serving as the head of the Manila Public Information Office and spokesperson for the city’s mayor.
A graduate of AB Journalism and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Santo Tomas, she also served as Commissioner-at-Large of the National Youth Commission.
“This is not about defending power. It’s about defending democracy from confusion, distortion, and silence,” she added.
