My long-time colleague in newspapering Roy Mabasa posted this on Facebook:
‘MABANTOT’ NA PANGALAN
Dating chief “social media director” ni Bongbong Marcos noong 2022 si Franco Mabanta, at nakisabit pa sandali sa administrasyon matapos ang panalo.
Pero nang mabiyak ang UniTeam, mabilis ding lumipat ng bakod at naging isa sa mga diehard ng kampo ni Duterte.
Sa panahon ngayon, mahirap burahin ang tunay na kulay. Lahat nasa digital na—mga post, vlog, resibo ng propaganda. At malinaw ang rekord, una siyang Marcos Jr. loyalist, tapos naging attack dog ng Duterte camp. Akuin na, huwag nang ipagkanulo.
—o0o—
Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is again hogging the limelight these days because he or his representatives went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to complain about an alleged extortion case costing P300 million, against one Franco Mabanta who is popular in the high society of Philippine politics. He was supported to be a social media expert and a master of crisis PR.
Franco himself is in crisis. And he, his staff in Peanut Gallery Media Network, and presenters or anchors are ranged against the wily Martin Romualdez.
If deviousness had a face, it would be Martin R.
Franco has been charged by the NBI of trying to fleece millions from Romualdez, allegedly in exchange for not airing in his website a video on flood control irregularities that would sully the reputation of the former speaker of the House of Representatives (as if Martin’s reputation had anything left more to be sullied).
I do not know Franco so my doubts are actively present, and his actuations are suspect, to say the least. I can only deduce what to me is a developing truth from the words and acts of Mabanta himself.
Consider this: Ever since the Pepsi Paloma rape case of 1982, during which I was a respondent to a P2-million libel case filed by Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Richie d’ Horsie because I scooped every newsman through my People’s Journal headliner, I have become cynical and completely incredulous of so-called celebrities (what is there to celebrate?) who overplay the part of “victims” in media controversies of their own making, and even conveniently mention their children in their defense.
Up to this day, I wonder how Keempee and Cheenee reacted then to the biggest media scandal of 1982. The same thoughts have I about Danica and Oyo Boy. I still believe very public figures should shield their kids from controversies like this, but the flamboyant Franco Mabanta did otherwise. He mentioned his desire for “my five-year-old and two-year-old sons to look back at these decisions when they’re older and see the kind of man their dad was.” Why involve the kids in this clearly just a personal adventure to achieve some gain?
The question that comes to mind presently is why Atty. Melvin Matibag, chief of the NBI, is going out of his way in helping Martin—just after the former speaker all but pointed at the Executive Department (Bongbong Marcos) as being the chief architect of the billions of pesos in flood control corruption?
There are mounting suggestions from all over for the PGMN to release the so-called explosive video about Martin. The edited video is 90 minutes long, according to Franco. Whatever this is, nakakaantok na ito sa haba.
What’s holding them from releasing the video? Until they do, people will continue doubting that this is all a charade, with Bongbong, Liza and Martin as the principal characters, pulling the puppet strings that move Matibag and Mabanta.
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