Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang distanced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from arrested Peanut Gallery Media Network founder Franco Mabanta, instead pointing to Mabanta’s apparent links with allies of the Duterte camp.
During a Palace press briefing in Cebu, Palace press officer Claire Castro dismissed claims that Mabanta played a role in online political campaigns supporting Marcos.
“Hindi po siya kaibigan ng pangulo pero siguro mas nanaisin ko po kung ito po ang inyong itatanong dahil ito po ay mismong pinost ni Franco Mabanta — baka ito po ang itanong ninyo kung ano po ang relasyon niya sa mga Duterte. Nandiyan pa nga po si Harry Roque,” Castro said.
[Translation: He is not a friend of the President, but perhaps you should ask instead about his relationship with the Dutertes because Franco Mabanta himself posted it. Harry Roque is even there.]
When asked about Mabanta’s relationship with the Duterte family, Castro declined to elaborate but noted that Mabanta’s content frequently targeted the Marcos administration.
“Ay kayo po ang magtanong sa kaniya lalong-lalo na po marami naman po yata siyang na-feature sa kaniyang mga articles na halos ay kumakalaban sa administrasyon,” she said.
[Translation: You should ask him yourself, especially since many of his articles appear to be attacking the administration.]
Castro said the administration believes anyone accused of wrongdoing must undergo due process.
“Ang nais naman po ng pangulo sa lahat ng pagkakataon managot ang dapat na managot. Kung mayroon po siyang dapat na panagutan, kung mayroon po silang ginawang krimen dapat lamang po nila itong panagutan. Pero, definitely, kailangan po ng due process sa lahat ng bagay,” Castro said.
[Translation: The president wants those held accountable to answer for their actions. If they committed a crime, they should face responsibility. But definitely, due process must be observed in everything.]
The remarks came a day after the National Bureau of Investigation arrested Mabanta and four others in an alleged ₱300-million extortion scheme involving Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
The NBI said Mabanta allegedly demanded money in exchange for withholding the release of online materials supposedly linking Romualdez to corruption in the House of Representatives.
The suspects are facing allegations of robbery-extortion and violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
In a statement released after the arrests, Peanut Gallery Media Network denied the accusations and said the operation was a “setup,” insisting that it had been preparing a major exposé against Romualdez and other political figures.
