The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested political content creator Franco Mabanta in Pasig City on Tuesday night for allegedly attempting to extort P300 million from former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Mabanta, founder and CEO of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN), and four other officials were caught in an entrapment operation after allegedly demanding money in exchange for withholding the release of a damaging video against Romualdez.
According to the NBI, the group had threatened to publish an exposé portraying Romualdez as a “mastermind in corruption” if their demand was not met, with marked money later handed over during the operation.
Authorities said undercover agents posing as Romualdez’s representatives coordinated the sting, leading to the arrest of Mabanta and his associates after receiving part of the money.
The case stems from alleged negotiations that reportedly began last year and resumed recently, while Malacañang denied any link between Mabanta and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. despite his past association with the administration’s 2018 social media campaign.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 7, 2026
CONTENT CREATOR NABBED IN ENTRAPMENT OVER EXTORTION TRY ON ROMUALDEZ
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