MANILA, Philippines — Social media personality Franco Mabanta and four co-accused were released on Saturday after posting bail in connection with an alleged extortion attempt against Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez.
The Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 issued the release order after Mabanta, founder of the Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN), and four others each posted bail amounting to P120,000.
Court proceedings were conducted during Saturday duty hours in line with a 2025 memorandum issued by the executive judge of the Pasig RTC.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the five respondents underwent inquest proceedings Wednesday night following their arrest in an entrapment operation earlier this week.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrests social media personality and Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta (third from left) and four others for allegedly trying to extort at least P300 million from Leyte Rep. and former speaker Martin Romualdez. The suspect allegedly claimed he has videos implicating Romualdez in the flood control scandal and asked the lawmaker to pay up or he would release the videos via the PGMN. The suspect was arrested after receiving P300 million in marked money. PHOTO BY RENE DILAN
According to NBI spokesman Palmer Mallari, the complaint was filed under Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code, which covers robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons.
Authorities alleged that Mabanta and his companions attempted to extort P300 million from Romualdez in exchange for supposedly withholding the release of a video that allegedly linked the lawmaker to irregularities involving flood control projects.
Mabanta has denied the accusations, describing the operation as a “setup.” He also maintained that he and his colleagues were ready to contest the allegations and establish their innocence in court.