Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta and four of his associates are set to regain temporary freedom after the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 167 issued a release order following the payment of bail.
The court allowed the release of the five individuals after they posted a combined bail amount of P120,000.
Mabanta and his associates had been detained at the National Bureau of Investigation detention facility located inside the New Bilibid Prison compound in Muntinlupa.
The group was previously arrested over allegations of attempted extortion involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Following their arrest, Mabanta and his camp insisted that the operation conducted by the NBI was merely a “set-up” and denied accusations that they attempted to extort Romualdez.
The controversy intensified after the camp of the former speaker challenged PGMN to release what was described as a “90-minute video exposé” allegedly linking the congressman to corruption.
No details about the contents of the alleged video were provided in the information released.
The court order only covered the temporary liberty of Mabanta and his associates while legal proceedings continue.
The case has drawn attention online due to the accusations exchanged between the two camps, particularly allegations involving corruption and claims that the arrests were politically motivated.
Authorities have not released additional information regarding the status of the extortion charges aside from the issuance of the release order and the posting of bail.
The NBI has also not issued any new statement in the information provided regarding the allegations raised by Mabanta and his group.
