Franco Mabanta Arrested in P350-M Romualdez Extortion Probe, NBI Says
NBI says Franco Mabanta and four others were arrested over an alleged extortion attempt involving Martin Romualdez.
Internet personality and political operator Franco Mabanta was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation in Pasig City over an alleged extortion attempt involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, according to the NBI.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, May 6. Investigators said the case centered on an alleged demand tied to purported videos linking Romualdez to the flood control controversy, a topic already under review by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Lawyer Mark Santiago of the NBI Special Action Unit said the supposed final demand reached P300 million, allegedly part of a broader P350-million extortion attempt. The NBI said the P300 million was to be released in four tranches of P75 million each.
According to investigators, Mabanta allegedly threatened to release the videos if the demand was not settled by May 5. The NBI also named Ericson James Pacaba, John Alexander Vasquez Gomez, Jardine Christian Requio Serrano, and Franco Jose Gallardo as co-respondents who were arrested.
Peanut Gallery Media Network, which Mabanta founded, denied the allegations and claimed the arrest was a “set up.” The NBI has not yet disclosed the specific charges to be filed, so the case remains one to watch as both the agency and Mabanta’s camp push sharply different versions of events.
Source: Philstar.com
