THE National Bureau of Investigation – Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-OTCD) has taken into custody five individuals, including Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder and chair Roberto Ma. Franco Cruz Mabanta, following a successful entrapment operation on May 5, 2026.
The group is facing charges for alleged robbery with extortion and violations under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in connection with a multimillion-peso illegal scheme.
The case originated from a formal complaint filed by former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez against Mabanta and his associates.
Investigations revealed that Mabanta, alongside network anchor “CJ Hirro” and other accomplices, allegedly threatened the complainant with the release of online content claiming to link Romualdez to corruption within the House of Representatives. In exchange for suppressing the purported exposé, Mabanta reportedly demanded a total of ₱300 million, to be paid in four installments of ₱75 million each. A portion of the so-called video evidence was reportedly provided to strengthen the credibility of the threat.
Acting on the complaint, NBI operatives arranged for the delivery of the first tranche of payment and proceeded with the entrapment operation. At around 5:30 PM, Mabanta met with undercover agents posing as representatives of Romualdez at The Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City. During the meeting, he restated his demand and instructed the agents to deliver the money to Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City, to be turned over to an individual identified as “Jimmy” — later confirmed as Jardine Christian Serrano.
After the cash was delivered, Serrano and Franco Jose Gallardo received the funds and brought them to a function room inside the club, where Mabanta, Ericson James D. Pacaba, and John Alexander Vasquez Gomez were waiting.
The arresting team immediately moved in, resulting in the apprehension of all five suspects: Roberto Ma. Franco Cruz Mabanta, Ericson James D. Pacaba, John Alexander Vasquez Gomez, Jardine Christian Requio Serrano, and Franco Jose Gallardo. Recovered from the suspects were the entrapment money and mobile phones believed to have been used in coordinating the illegal transaction.
The detained individuals are currently under NBI-OTCD custody, undergoing booking procedures, documentation, and inquest proceedings. NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag reiterated the bureau’s commitment to cracking down on criminal activities that exploit digital platforms for personal gain.
“Freedom of expression is protected by law, but it must never be used as a shield for extortion, intimidation, or criminal exploitation,” Matibag stated. “The NBI will relentlessly pursue those who weaponize digital platforms to threaten, harass, and unlawfully profit from others.”
