Palace on Franco Mabanta apology: A lesson against stirring baseless intrigues

Malacañang on Monday said the apology issued by Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos serves as a reminder against creating intrigue without a factual basis.

“Ang pag-iingay ng walang saysay ay nagiging biktima lamang ang mga Pilipino na walang malay. At ang paninira na walang basehan, ginagawa lang na mangmang ang ating mga kababayan,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a briefing.

(Noise without purpose only victimizes unsuspecting Filipinos. Baseless attacks only keep our fellow citizens misinformed.)

Castro said that anyone seeking an investigation should first ensure they have sufficient evidence.

“Hindi kailangan daanin sa pamilya, hindi kailangang daanan kung saan-saan. Kung meron kayong ebidensya, sampahan niyo na agad ng kaso,” she said.

(There is no need to drag the family or go through other channels. If you have evidence, file a case immediately.)

Last week, Mabanta issued a public apology to Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Leni Robredo.

“For any feelings that have been hurt now and in the past, especially, especially towards the First Lady, I am sorry. I mean that sincerely. Good luck, Mr. President. Good luck, my dear old friend,” Mabanta said in his apology to the Marcoses.

Mabanta, however, continued to criticize former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Asked about the current relationship between Marcos and Romualdez, Castro said she has not personally seen the former House Speaker in Malacañang.

“Kagaya ng sinabi ko, hindi ko po nakikita personally si dating Speaker Romualdez dito sa Malacañang. Hindi ko po sila nakikitang nag-uusap,” she said.

(As I said, I do not personally see former Speaker Romualdez here in Malacañang. I do not see them talking to each other.)

Castro said she could not comment on the current relationship between Marcos and Romualdez.

“Wala sa ngayon. Wala akong masasabi kung ano relasyon nila,” she added.

(As of now, none. I cannot say what their relationship is.)— MCG, GMA News