Team DailyPedia
House of Representatives spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante weighed in on the growing public backlash against the children and relatives of politicians linked to the allegedly anomalous flood control projects, calling online bullying a “sensitive” issue while also acknowledging citizens’ frustrations.
“Ang hirap ma-bully online. We’ve all experienced that. But I think now, mas tututok tayo in addressing the problem. And hopefully, the public also will be careful din do’n sa bullying,” Abante said in a media forum hosted by the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association on Friday, Aug. 29.
She emphasized that while there are proper ways to hold public officials accountable, netizens must avoid being selective about when to condemn bullying.
“[The] bullying issue is always sensitive to me personally. May mga ways tayo para panagutin ang mga public officials [na] involved,” she explained.
At the same time, Abante admitted she understands why some citizens vent their anger through social media. “Kasama ‘yan sa paraan din nila as an individual citizen kung paano nila mapapanagot ang mga personality na nasasangkot. Siguro lang kung nagiging sensitive tayo sa bullying ng isa, tingnan din natin lahat,” she said.
“‘Wag tayong maging selective kung saan tayo magiging sensitibo sa isyu ng bullying… But definitely, if dapat may magiging pananagutan, daanin natin sa tamang proseso. At sana mapanagot talaga this time around,” Abante added.
Her remarks came after former senatorial candidate Carl Balita sparked debate with a viral Facebook post questioning if it is fair to drag the children of abusive officials into the controversy.
“Tama ba na IDAMAY ang mga ANAK ng mga ABUSADONG opisyal ng pamahalaan at mga ganid na contractors?” Balita asked. He followed it up with another pointed query: “Makatwiran ba na i-bully sila sa kasalanan ng kanilang magulang na nagbibigay sa kanilang tinatamasang karangyaan?”
The post has since drawn over 7,200 comments and 14,000 shares, with netizens split on whether such criticism is a form of accountability or an unfair attack on individuals not directly implicated in the corruption.
Responses ranged from “While you cannot choose your parents, you can choose your own values, integrity, and actions” to “That’s not bullying, that’s karma at work.” Others firmly disagreed, saying, “It’s not right to judge someone by the sins of their father.”
The debate intensified after netizens spotlighted influencers and lifestyle personalities allegedly related to politicians or contractors flagged in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects. Among them was Claudine Co, daughter of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Christopher Co, whose company Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corporation was identified as one of 15 firms that secured multimillion-peso DPWH contracts now under review.
Co, a travel and fashion influencer who recently ventured into music, has since deactivated all her social media accounts following the backlash.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a lifestyle check on all government officials, starting with the DPWH, as part of the widening probe into the controversial flood control projects.
