The camp of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday rejected claims that the arrest of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta was an attack on press freedom, insisting that the case centers on alleged extortion and not journalism.
In a statement, Atty. Elaine A. Atienza, spokesperson for Romualdez, said the issue should not be framed as one involving free speech or criticism of the government.
“PGMN is twisting the narrative,” Atienza said.
“Ang isyu dito ay hindi tungkol sa malayang pamamahayag. Lalong hindi ito tungkol sa karapatan ng sinuman na punahin ang gobyerno. Ang tunay na tanong: may humingi ba ng pera kapalit ng katahimikan?” Atienza said.
Atienza said Romualdez merely brought the matter to authorities after allegedly being exposed to an extortion attempt.
“Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez simply did what any person exposed to the same circumstance would do — he reported the matter to the proper authorities, and the NBI acted on that report pursuant to its mandate under the law,” she said.
The spokesperson also dismissed as irrelevant any supposed materials or exposés that PGMN claimed to possess against public officials, saying these do not erase the criminal allegations now under investigation.
“Whatever materials or exposés they claim to possess are irrelevant to the criminal allegations of extortion now under investigation,” Atienza said.
“If anyone believes he has evidence of wrongdoing by public officials, the proper course is simple: release it, submit it to the authorities, and let the proper institutions act on it — not use it as leverage in exchange for money,” she added.
Atienza alleged that PGMN had supposedly prepared a video several weeks ago but opted not to release it.
“That is what PGMN did: they purportedly produced a video that was allegedly ready to run several weeks ago and yet chose not to release it. That is NOT journalism, that is extortion,” she said.
She maintained that the case would ultimately hinge on evidence and due process rather than online narratives.
“Ultimately, this case will be decided by facts, evidence, and the rule of law — not by competing narratives on social media,” Atienza said.
She warned that such actions could erode confidence in legitimate media organizations.
“Such conduct undermines legitimate journalism and damages public trust in genuine media institutions,” she said.
“Simple lang po ito: Sa demokrasya, malayang pumuna. Pero malinaw po sa ating batas: Isang krimen ang pangingikil,” Atienza added.
