Romualdez camp confident of evidence vs. PGMN's Mabanta

The camp of Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has expressed confidence that it has solid evidence to prove its robbery extortion case against Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta and four others.

Lawyer Elaine Atienza, counsel for Romualdez, made the pronouncement Thursday after the arraignment of Mabanta and the other accused before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

The case stemmed from Mabanta's alleged threat to run a supposed video report implicating Romuladez in the flood control scandal. He allegedly pressed Romualdez to pay P350 million—later reduced to P300 million—or else he would release the report via PGMN.

Mabanta and the four others were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents in an entrapment operation.

"We cannot speak of the details of the case since it is already the subject of ongoing proceedings, but what we can say right now is that we are confident in the strength of our case and our evidence," Atienza said.

"The court is the proper forum where we can test this evidence. We respect the court process and we trust that the court will view this matter fairly," Atienza added.

In addition, Atienza reiterated their position that their complaint against Mabanta is not a suppression of press freedom.

"This is not about press freedom. In fact, we encourage people—if they have anything against any person, they can report that to the authorities. But we should always follow the process," Atienza said.

"And we encourage the public to be more circumspect, to be able to judge what we see on social media. Because ultimately it is the court that will decide," Atienza added.

In a statement, Mabanta's colleague and PGMN anchor CJ Hirro accused Romualdez of deploying troll farms against his critics.

"Taas kamay sa naniniwalang walang troll farm ang kampo ni Martin Romualdez na ginagamit niya sa lahat ng kalaban niya. Taas kamay sa naniniwalang totoong mahal lang siya ng mga tao," Hirro said.

(Does anybody here believe that Romualdez does not have a troll farm tasked to go after his critics? Does anybody believe that he is loved by the people.)

The NBI had identified Hirro as a person of interest in the case. Hirro's lawyer later appeared before the NBI in compliance with a subpoena. The lawyer denied that Hirro was in hiding. — VDV, GMA News