Manila City 5th District Representative Benny Abante fumed after one of the content creators who was invited to the congressional inquiry on fake news and disinformation on social media didn’t heed their invitation.
During the first day of the inquiry on Tuesday, February 4, Abante mentioned Elizabeth Joie Cruz, also known as Joie De Vivre, saying that the said content creator made serious accusations against him and even cursed at him on social media.
“Si Benny Abante at Rommel Marbil ay mga protektor ng iligal na droga dahil pilit nilang pinalalabas na hindi ito ganon kasama,” said Abante.
“Matindi po itong mga akusasyon na ibinigay nitong… eh gusto kong magmura, pero hindi muna ako magmumura,” he added.
Abante even read the letter they received from Cruz.
“Kung nanonood ka ngayon, humarap ka dito kung matapang ka. Ang hirap sayo nagmumura ka diyan ng wala kaming kalaban-laban,” he said.
“Ang tatapang sa pagmumura na wala tayong kalaban-laban. Ngayon pag haharap dito, hindi makaharap dito. Eh takot din pala ‘yang mga ‘yan eh. So kung nakikinig ka dito, humarap ka dito kung matapang ka. Humarap ka dito namo!” he stated.
Cruz posted a laugh reaction on her social media page as a response to Abante’s message to her.
“It is an honor to make a crocodile cry,” said Cruz.