MANILA — Communications strategist Franco Mabanta has denied allegations of extortion, insisting that the charges against him and his group are fabricated and meant to silence an upcoming exposé targeting House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a statement, Mabanta maintained their innocence, describing the case as a “setup” and asserting that no threats or unlawful demands were made. “There was no extortion. There were zero threats from us… We committed no crime, and we can prove it,” he said.
Mabanta revealed that his group, PGMN, had spent several months conducting what he described as an extensive investigation into alleged corruption involving Romualdez during his tenure as Speaker. He claimed the findings were compiled into a 90-minute documentary-style exposé, which has already been completed and is ready for release.
He alleged that the timing of the charges was intended to prevent the public dissemination of the material, which he described as containing “hard evidence.” Mabanta further claimed that the situation is linked to what he characterized as mounting political pressure on the House leader, including issues purportedly involving the Office of the Ombudsman.
The communications strategist also disclosed that, prior to their arrest, he and his associates allegedly received warnings from contacts about possible threats to their safety. According to Mabanta, contingency measures had already been put in place to ensure the release of the exposé should any harm befall members of their group.
Despite the legal challenges, Mabanta stood firm in his position, saying they are prepared to face the consequences of their actions. He framed their efforts as part of a broader campaign against corruption, adding that they would continue to pursue what they believe is in the public interest.
As of this writing, the camp of Romualdez has yet to issue a response to Mabanta’s allegations. Authorities have also not released additional details regarding the extortion case.
The situation continues to develop.
elami/xf
