Congress probes PGMN disinformation, Founder Arrested in NBI Sting

: Franco Mabanta

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is expected to release at any time its report on the alleged arrest of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta and another individual in an entrapment operation over an alleged extortion attempt against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

On Monday, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon filed House Resolution 980, calling for a congressional investigation into PGMN’s alleged disinformation operations, while also urging the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to examine the company’s financial activities, particularly for possible tax evasion.

“If these disinformation operations are monetized—and there are strong indications that they are—then the question is simple: are they properly declared, taxed, and regulated… Otherwise, this raises serious concerns of tax evasion,” Ridon said.

The resolution cited a viral PGMN video that allegedly showed a sudden spike in Meralco bills, though the Customer Account Numbers (CANs) were different.

“For ordinary Filipino households already burdened by high electricity costs, this is not just irresponsible—it is deceptive… Real issues should not be exploited through fabricated or misleading content,” Ridon added.

The congressman emphasized that the House investigation aims to determine whether such activities are part of an “organized and systematic disinformation” effort designed to manipulate public opinion on national issues.

“We will not allow legitimate public concerns to be weaponized by disinformation networks… This is about protecting the public—not only from fake news, but from coordinated operations that exploit real issues for influence, profit, or manipulation,” Ridon said. # (ZIA LUNA)