ONLINE personality and Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta and four co-accused were released from detention on Saturday after posting bail in connection with a robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons case, stemming from an alleged P300-million extortion attempt involving former House speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez.
The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 ordered the release of Mabanta and his co-accused after each posted P120,000 bail. Court proceedings were conducted during Saturday duty hours, in accordance with a 2025 memorandum issued by the executive judge of the Pasig Regional Trial Court, which allows limited weekend court operations.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the five respondents had undergone inquest proceedings on Wednesday night following their arrest in an entrapment operation earlier this week.
According to NBI spokesman Palmer Mallari, the complaint was filed under Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code, which covers robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons.
The agency alleged that Mabanta and his companions attempted to demand P300 million from Romualdez in exchange for withholding the release of an alleged video linking the lawmaker to irregularities involving flood control projects.
Authorities identified Mabanta’s co-accused as Ericson James Pacaba, John Alexander Vasquez Gomez, Jardine Christian Requio Serrano and Franco Jose Gallardo.
Court records show that the Pasig RTC directed the NBI and the detention facility to implement the release order immediately after bail was posted.
Mabanta has denied the allegations, insisting that the operation was a “setup.” He maintained that he and his co-accused are prepared to contest the charges in court and prove their innocence.
