MANILA, Philippines — Authorities from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested digital media executive Franco Mabanta in connection with an alleged multimillion-peso extortion scheme.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed on Tuesday that Mabanta was apprehended following a complaint filed by former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
According to investigators, Mabanta—founder and chief executive officer of Peanut Gallery Media Network—was accused of threatening to release a video that purportedly links Romualdez to corruption within the House of Representatives. In exchange for withholding the material, Mabanta allegedly demanded ₱300 million, to be paid in four installments.
The arrest took place during an entrapment operation conducted at Manila Peninsula Hotel, where Mabanta was said to have reiterated his demand. Authorities said the payment was to be delivered to a contact identified as Jardine Christian Serrano at a private club in Pasig City.
Serrano, along with three other individuals—Ericson James Pacaba, John Alexander Vasquez Gomez, and Franco Jose Gallardo—were also taken into custody. All suspects are currently detained under the NBI’s Organized and Transnational Crime Division.
Investigators noted that discussions between the complainant and officials of Mabanta’s media network had reportedly been ongoing since last year before communication resumed in recent weeks.
Mabanta has denied the allegations.
He previously served as a social media strategist for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the latter’s time in the Senate.
Matibag emphasized that the case should not be construed as a restriction on free speech, underscoring that while expression is protected, it cannot be used to justify criminal acts such as extortion or intimidation.
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