Franco Mabanta once served PBBM
Malacañang confirmed on Friday, May 8, that controversial Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta once worked as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s social media strategist.
Mabanta and four associates were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during an entrapment operation at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City for allegedly being involved in an extortion attempt against a prominent politician.
The social media strategist and online personality was accused of demanding ₱300 million to ₱350 million from former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. In exchange, he allegedly offered to withhold a 90-minute “exposé” video linking the lawmaker to corruption.
His camp denied the charges, claiming the arrest was a “setup” and that no extortion had happened.
In a recent statement, the Palace confirmed that Franco Mabanta had worked for Marcos before, but this stint was just short-lived, based on the article in Abante News.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro clarified that Mabanta’s stint as the President’s social media strategist only lasted six months.
This was Malacañang’s response to the Duterte camp, which said that Mabanta worked in the administration.
Castro stressed that based on information she obtained, the President did not like Mabanta’s style which he believed was not in line with the principles of the “Bagong Pilipinas”.
“Sa naibigay na impormasyon sa akin, parang tumagal lamang siya ng six months. Mga six months dahil according sa nagbigay sa akin ng info, medyo hindi nagustuhan `yung style,” Palace Press Officer stressed.
However, Castro declined to say what style of Mabanta President Marcos disliked.
As of now, the Undersecretary said, the President has no contact with Mabanta and they do not speak. The Palace also stressed that the President and Franco Mabanta are not friends.
