MANILA — A former social media director of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in an entrapment operation over an alleged P350-million extortion scheme targeting Leyte’s Cong. Martin Romualdez, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Social media personality Franco Mabanta and four others were apprehended Tuesday night during an operation at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City after allegedly demanding millions of pesos in exchange for withholding online content linking Romualdez to alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
The NBI identified two of the other arrested suspects as James Pacaba and John Alexander Gomez, reportedly a co-founder of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN).
Investigators said Mabanta allegedly sought P350 million from Romualdez in return for not publishing or further circulating content accusing the former House speaker of involvement in controversial flood control anomalies through the Peanut Gallery Media Network platform.
Mabanta previously served as a social media director for Marcos Jr. during the latter’s political campaign and early administration.
Authorities said the operation stemmed from complaints regarding the alleged extortion attempt, prompting the NBI to conduct an entrapment operation that led to the arrests.
The NBI said Mabanta remains under its custody while charges are being prepared against him and the other suspects.
Investigators are also determining whether other individuals may have been similarly targeted or victimized by Mabanta and his alleged associates.
Romualdez has repeatedly denied allegations linking him to irregularities in flood control projects./PN
