Vlogger Elizabeth Joie Cruz during a hearing of the House Tri Committee, April 8, 2025. Handout/House of Representatives 

MANILA – A lawmaker and vlogger figured in a heated exchange over a social media post criticizing the former during the House Tri Committee's fourth hearing on Tuesday.

Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. confronted vlogger Elizabeth Joie Cruz over her previous videos with a statement against him.   

Abante questioned why Cruz would attack him since they do not personally know each other nor did he do anything bad to her.   

"Tinawag mo akong g*go. Bakit mo ginawa yun? Gusto mo ba umiyak ako sa harapan mo? Bakit mo ako tinawag na g*go? Bakit po mister chair?" Abante asked.

The post in question said the lawmaker was being funded by taxpayers, including an expletive.

"I think it is already established that we do not know each other personally. Therefore, the statement was said based, in a not personal way. It was an observation," Cruz responded.

"It's not a personal accusation, mister chair. And I think we agreed earlier on that we do not have any personal relationship... The observation that I uttered for, to describe the performance of your official function. That is what I observed, what I felt," she added. 

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The vlogger admitted the statement came from her, saying it pertains to public action "as she perceives it."  

Abante pressed Cruz on what is her right to call him the said expletive. 

"Because I am a citizen. [What is your right?] That is part of my freedom of speech, mister chair. [Is that right?] Yes, mister chair," she responded.   

"My freedom of speech, part of my freedom of speech is to react [Ang galing mo ah] on the action of a public official [Sinabi mo ah.]," Cruz said. 

Abante went on to read another post, where she said she will slap something to the lawmaker's face.  

Cruz said this is freedom of speech, but admitted she is not familiar with the post.

"If I tell you right now, sasampalin kita, freedom of speech yan?" Abante asked to which Cruz said yes.   

But when questioned if he slaps her and this is still freedom of speech, she replied in the negative.  

"When I post in my platform, I make sure that it is a reaction on the news or public action. As a political observer, I always practice," Cruz said. 

"Is this a political statement? You were saying [you're] a political observer. Is this a political statement. Do you believe that using profanities, malicious insults online represents fair and respectful and intelligent discourse?" Abante asked.

The vlogger said everything except the malicious insults are part of "healthy, public discourse."   

She also cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states "human being shall enjoy freedom of speech."  

Abante said the responses of the social media personality underscore the need for legislation. 

"This is why we need to craft a legislation to put a stop on Ms. Joie Cruz who seem to be intelligent and a woman using profanities, malicious insults, saying it is health," he said.

The vlogger later clarified that she agrees the freedom of speech is not absolute.

"The limitation of freedom of speech is well-defined under the law, under the jurisprudence, there are things that you cannot say," Cruz said.

The lawmaker pointed out there is a law on libel and cyberlibel.  

"When you use profanities, there is a malicious accusation. And that is libelous. Not only libelous ha. That is also unjust vexation on my part," Abante said.

"If you think you are violated by my exercise of right to freedom, you have your right in court so that the maliciousness of that statement can be sorted out in the proper authority," Cruz replied. 

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Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who is also a vlogger and present at the hearing, disagreed with the position of Cruz.  

She said speech is either protected or not protected by the law, citing expressions of frustration is part of the former.   

"What I said was not malicious, those are observation on my end. And the profanity is part of the, part of my expression of discontentment, disgust because my expectation for a public officer is not met," Cruz reiterated.

"My statements are not malicious. Because my statements are always pertaining to the exercise of the public duty I am responding to," she added.  

Another vlogger, Manuel Mata, said there is a need to differentiate between public and private individuals when discussing statements such as the one of Cruz.

He said it's nothing personal, but only about the job of Abante as a lawmaker.

"I'm not onion-skinned. Ang binabanggit lamang natin dito, how do we limit this, how do we regulate this. Yun yung aming inaano batas how do we regulate these kind of statements. Masyadong personal ito eh," Abante said.

Cruz later said she will welcome any action or remedies on the end of Abante, after he asked her to apologize.

Lawmakers are mulling the creation of a law to regulate content creators and require social media platforms to apply for accreditation to curb the spread of fake news.

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