MANILA, Philippines — A social media personality and four others may post bail this Friday, according to their legal counsel.
In an interview, lawyer Bernice Rodriguez said arrangements for bail for Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta and his co-accused were being prepared, noting that the legal team expected to file the necessary pleadings this morning.
'We will file the necessary pleadings in the morning and hopefully this will all be over soon,” she said, adding that bail could “most likely” be processed within the day or by the following day.
She, however, declined to disclose the bail amount when asked.
Rodriguez also said their clients remained in good condition while under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), describing them as tired but stable. She said the team had assisted in settling them in after what she described as a long day of processing and movement of personal belongings.
“They’re very good. They’re just really tired… but they’re okay and we constantly update them on the legal proceedings and the strategies that we have,” she said.
The lawyer likewise confirmed that they have not received any subpoena for PGMN anchor CJ Hirro, stressing that she is not a respondent in the case.
“We didn’t get anything. There was no official subpoena, no document was given to us,” Rodriguez said, adding that they had been at the NBI throughout Thursday and could have been served documents if any had existed.
Rodriguez also addressed circulating claims and a video allegedly involving an NBI agent and Mabanta, saying the matter would be handled as part of their defense. She firmly denied allegations of wrongdoing.
“There was no extortion. There was no extortion, there was no crime that was committed,” she said.
