NBI chief: No politics in Mabanta’s arrest

May 8, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday dismissed allegations that the arrest of political content creator Franco Mabanta and four others was politically motivated, insisting that the operation was based on evidence of extortion.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau had “more than sufficient” evidence against the respondents.

“We believe the case is solid,” Matibag said.

He rejected claims that the operation was a setup, saying the NBI does not conduct arrests without legal basis.

“It is difficult to believe claims that this was a setup because our evidence is strong,” Matibag said. “The NBI does not act based on opinion, but on evidence in promoting law and order.”

Matibag said cases have been filed before the Pasig prosecutor’s office against the suspects, who were allegedly arrested in flagrante delicto or while in the act of committing the offense.

Mabanta and his co-respondents underwent inquest proceedings on Wednesday.

Matibag said gadgets seized during the operation would undergo forensic examination for possible cybercrime violations under Republic Act 10175.

Mabanta, founder of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN), was arrested along with four others in Pasig after former speaker Martin Romualdez complained that the suspects allegedly extorting P300 million from him in exchange for not releasing a video that would supposedly link the Leyte congressman to flood control corruption.

Other politicians targeted?

NBI probers are also looking into whether other politicians may have been targeted by the alleged extortion scheme of the suspects.

“We will determine if senators, congressmen, mayors or governors may have also been approached and extorted, but have remained silent,” Matibag said.

Matibag said the NBI is reviewing the financial records of PGMN, citing what he described as questionable spending despite the apparent lack of advertisements.

“We noticed a pattern. PGMN appears to have no commercials, advertisements or sponsors, yet its spending is substantial. We will examine its income tax returns and all related records,” he said.

Matibag said the NBI gathered text messages, video messages and recorded conversations allegedly linked to negotiations involving the delivery of money.

“There were indeed conversations between our agents and the suspects regarding cash delivery. We also have exchanges of text and video messages,” he said.

Marked money

Matibag also defended the NBI’s use of marked money during the operation, saying the practice is legally allowed in entrapment operations.

“In law enforcement, the use of marked money is allowed and supported by decided cases. Only the top layer consisted of real cash,” he said.

Matibag also clarified that PGMN anchor CJ Hirro was not among those arrested because he allegedly did not directly receive the marked money, although his name was mentioned in the complaint.

“The video featuring CJ Hirro may have been used in the alleged extortion,” Matibag said.

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