Atty. Elaine A. Atienza
IN a statement issued on May 7, Atty. Elaine A. Atienza, spokesperson for Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, accused Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) of distorting the facts behind the arrest of its founder, Franco Mabanta.
She emphasized that the case is not a matter of press freedom or the right to criticize the government, stressing instead that the central issue is whether money was demanded in return for keeping certain information hidden. “The real question here is: did anyone ask for money in exchange for silence?” she said, maintaining that the allegations involve criminal conduct, not the legitimate exercise of free expression.
Atienza explained that Rep. Romualdez merely took the same action any concerned citizen would take when faced with a similar situation — he formally reported the matter to the authorities, prompting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct operations in line with its legal mandate.
She argued that whatever documents or exposés the group claims to hold are separate from and irrelevant to the extortion charges currently under probe. According to her, the proper and legal way to address alleged misconduct by public officials is to release the evidence or turn it over to authorities so it can be acted upon accordingly — not to use it as leverage to demand payment.
The spokesperson noted that PGMN reportedly completed a video report weeks ago but deliberately withheld it from the public. “That is NOT journalism, that is extortion,” Atienza firmly declared. She warned that such practices harm the credibility of the entire media profession and weaken public trust in legitimate news institutions, as they blur the essential line between holding power to account and exploiting information for illegal gain.
“This case will ultimately be resolved based on facts, evidence, and the rule of law — not by conflicting claims circulated on social media,” Atienza said in conclusion. She reiterated that while criticism is a fundamental right in a democracy, extortion is a crime clearly defined and punishable under Philippine law.
