NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Marcos Camp Denies Close Ties To Mabanta, Points To Dutertes
Screengrab from RTVM
Malacañang on Wednesday distanced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from political content creator Franco Mabanta after the Peanut Gallery Media Network founder was arrested over an alleged extortion attempt involving former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
During a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration supports due process and accountability, stressing that anyone proven to have committed a crime should face the law regardless of political ties.
Castro also pushed back against claims online linking Mabanta directly to Marcos’ political camp. She instead pointed to Mabanta’s publicly shared photos with former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the public should also look into his connections with the Duterte family.
The issue quickly escalated into a political flashpoint as supporters from both the Marcos and Duterte camps traded accusations online following Mabanta’s arrest.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that Mabanta was arrested in an entrapment operation in Pasig City over an alleged P350-million extortion scheme targeting Romualdez.
According to investigators, Mabanta and several associates allegedly demanded money in exchange for withholding the release of supposed videos said to be linked to the controversial flood control issue involving Romualdez.
Authorities said marked money was recovered during the operation. The NBI added that the alleged deal involved an initial P300 million payout to be released in four tranches worth P75 million each.
Mabanta denied the accusations after his arrest, calling the allegations untrue. Separate statements posted on Peanut Gallery Media Network’s social media pages also described the operation as a supposed setup.
The NBI said Mabanta and four others may face robbery by extortion charges as well as possible violations under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Mabanta rose to prominence during the 2022 elections through political commentary and digital campaigning, becoming a recognizable figure in online political media circles. His arrest has since intensified political tensions online due to his previous links to personalities associated with both the Marcos and Duterte camps.
During a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration supports due process and accountability, stressing that anyone proven to have committed a crime should face the law regardless of political ties.
Castro also pushed back against claims online linking Mabanta directly to Marcos’ political camp. She instead pointed to Mabanta’s publicly shared photos with former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the public should also look into his connections with the Duterte family.
The issue quickly escalated into a political flashpoint as supporters from both the Marcos and Duterte camps traded accusations online following Mabanta’s arrest.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that Mabanta was arrested in an entrapment operation in Pasig City over an alleged P350-million extortion scheme targeting Romualdez.
According to investigators, Mabanta and several associates allegedly demanded money in exchange for withholding the release of supposed videos said to be linked to the controversial flood control issue involving Romualdez.
Authorities said marked money was recovered during the operation. The NBI added that the alleged deal involved an initial P300 million payout to be released in four tranches worth P75 million each.
Mabanta denied the accusations after his arrest, calling the allegations untrue. Separate statements posted on Peanut Gallery Media Network’s social media pages also described the operation as a supposed setup.
The NBI said Mabanta and four others may face robbery by extortion charges as well as possible violations under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Mabanta rose to prominence during the 2022 elections through political commentary and digital campaigning, becoming a recognizable figure in online political media circles. His arrest has since intensified political tensions online due to his previous links to personalities associated with both the Marcos and Duterte camps.
May 6, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
