The camp of former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez urged personalities linked to Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) headed by Franco Mabanta to answer the charges against them in court instead of ventilating their opinions on social media.
The Pasig City Hall of Justice facade. The camp of former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday urged personalities linked to Peanut Gallery Media Network headed by Franco Mabanta to answer the charges against them in court instead of ventilating their opinions on social media .
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, lawyer Elaine Atienza stressed that their camp has deliberately refrained from publicly discussing the case details out of respect for judicial proceedings.
“As of now, we cannot speak of the details of the case or the other evidence because it is already the subject of ongoing proceedings,” Atienza said. “But what we can say right now is that we are confident in the strength of our case and our evidence, and the court is the proper forum where we can test this evidence,” she added.
Mabanta, founder and CEO of Peanut Gallery Media Network, appeared in the proceedings at the Pasig Regional Trial Court along with lawyer Bernice Piñol Rodriguez. Neither Mabanta nor his counsel gave interviews to the media before and after the proceedings. Mabanta and four others were accused of allegedly extorting P350 million from Romualdez in exchange for not publishing an “exposé” video.
Asked about claims circulating online attacking the complaint and the evidence, Atienza said their camp would not engage in speculation or litigate the case through social media.
“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,” she said. She also reminded all parties connected to the case to exercise restraint while proceedings are ongoing.
“Of course. That goes for all. As lawyers and parties to the case, we are all enjoined and instructed not to talk about the merits of the case before the media and social media,” Atienza said when asked if personalities linked to PGMN should refrain from inflammatory online posts.
“At the end of the day, this case will not be decided by hashtags, speculation, or social media theatrics. It will be decided by evidence, by law, and by the courts,” Atienza added. She also confirmed that Romualdez was unable to attend the hearing personally but remains willing to comply with any lawful court processes if necessary. Atienza declined to disclose the details of the proceedings, including the plea entered by Mabanta’s camp.
“We cannot speak on the details of the case or the other evidence because it is already subject to ongoing proceedings,” Romualdez’s camp said, adding that they are following “strict orders” from the court.
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