Influencer-beauty queen and former UAAP courtside reporter Angelique Manto has spoken up after being called out online for allegedly staying silent on controversies involving her friends, fashion influencers Vern and Verniece Enciso.
In a now-viral exchange on social media, a netizen questioned Manto’s supposed quiet stance, linking it to her ties with the Enciso sisters, whose family has been dragged into the ongoing “nepo baby” discourse.
“Ano po masasabi mo sa corrupt mong Enciso Vern and Verniece friends sa Customs. Maliit lang flood project, their family they have been doing it over 12 years and mas malaki lagay per pasok customs. Or nalibre ka kasi nila kasi quiet ka,” the netizen commented.
Manto, however, rejected the claim, stressing that her silence has not been bought.
“To imply that my silence has been bought is deeply malicious, when a quick peek at my profile shows that I have not been silent at all,” she wrote.
The content creator added that she works and pays her taxes just like ordinary citizens, and therefore shares in the public’s frustration over corruption.
“I work earnestly and pay for my taxes due too, so I feel angry as much as you are,” she said.
Manto also pointed out that it was unfair to immediately cast suspicion on individuals just because they move in the same industry.
“It might surprise you but people don’t go privy on other people’s financial background nor go around asking about them,” she explained.
“I don’t condone our hard-earned money used unjustly, but I also don’t condone people directing the malice towards people who are existing in the same industry,” she added.
Despite her clarification, some netizens expressed confusion over her statement, with mixed reactions flooding social media. Comments ranged from supportive to skeptical: “Di ko din gets ang sagot nya entirely.”
“English para kunwari matalino ang argumento.”
“PAG NABUKO TO THE MAX ANG PAGTANGGI. ENOUGH OF YOUR PRETENSES DENIAL QUEEN.”
“Ito yung mga pagkakataon sana tumahimik na lang siya.”
The Enciso sisters have been prominent in the local influencer scene since the early 2010s, building a strong following for their fashion and lifestyle content. Recently, however, their family background has been thrust into the spotlight as part of the wider conversation on political privilege and so-called “nepo babies.”
