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Franco Mabanta (center) gestures during a filmed interview with then former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (left) and former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile in 2018.
Franco Mabanta via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Online personality Franco Mabanta and four others posted bail on Saturday after being charged with robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons over an alleged extortion attempt against former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez.
The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 issued a release order after the accused each posted P120,000 bail. The court was on Saturday duty under a 2025 memorandum from the executive judge.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Mabanta, founder of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) and his companions were subjected to inquest proceedings following their arrest in an entrapment operation earlier this week.
Authorities alleged the group attempted to extort P300 million from Romualdez in exchange for withholding a supposed video linking him to alleged irregularities in flood control projects. The complaint was filed under Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code.
Mabanta has denied the allegations, insisting the operation was a “setup” and saying he is ready to prove his innocence.
Malacañang recently confirmed that Mabanta previously served as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s social media director for about six months in 2018.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Mabanta was later removed from the post due to his “style,” adding that she had no personal knowledge of the circumstances and was only relaying information provided to her.
Castro also clarified that Mabanta had no involvement in the 2022 presidential campaign of Marcos.
Mabanta had earlier claimed on social media that he once served as social media director for the Marcos camp. His online posts in previous years also showed support for both the Marcos and Duterte camps, and he had referred to Marcos as “Tito Bonget.”
