Franco Mabanta, 4 others released from NBI custody after posting bail

Online media network personality Franco Mabanta and four others were released from NBI custody after posting bail on Saturday in the case involving the alleged extortion try on former speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Martin Romualdez.

The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 on Saturday issued a release order after Mabanta and four others each filed P120,000 bail in the robbery extortion case.

The court was on Saturday duty in accordance with the memorandum issued in 2025 by the executive judge of Pasig RTC.

According to a "24 Oras Weekend" report by Vonne Aquino, Mabanta and four others left the NBI Detention Facility in Muntinlupa City at 5:30 p.m.

Relatives and lawyers of the accused also visited them at the detention facility.

“He’s not a perfect guy. But I don’t think he will do that. No one’s perfect, I have disagreements with him… Well, he told me the facts. So it looks logical,” said Roger Mabanta, Franco Mabanta’s father.

“Today they are walking away free, under their constitutional right to bail. And hopefully very soon they’ll walk away vindicated from all the publicity… Again I want to reiterate that they are innocent,” said Atty. Bernice Piñol - Rodriguez, Mabanta’s counsel.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) took photos and videos of Mabanta and others for documentation, as the accused wore bulletproof vests when they left the facility.

The NBI said Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Mabanta and four others underwent inquest proceedings on Wednesday evening.

The five were arrested in an entrapment operation earlier this week.

Authorities have alleged that Mabanta and his companions attempted to extort P300 million from Romualdez in exchange for allegedly withholding the release of a supposed video linking the lawmaker to anomalous flood control projects.

Mabanta earlier denied the allegations and claimed the operation against them was a "setup," adding that he and his colleagues are prepared to prove their innocence. —with reports from John Consulta and Jamil Santos/KG/VBL, GMA News