Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said the public apology issued by political operator Franco Mabanta serves as a reminder against making allegations without evidence.</p><p>Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the remark after Mabanta apologized for his criticisms against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/5/6/from-vj-to-media-executive-who-is-franco-mabanta-1557"><strong>From VJ to media executive: Who is Franco Mabanta?</strong></a></div><p>Mabanta made the apology about a month after he was charged with extortion over allegations that he demanded millions of pesos from Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez in exchange for withholding the release of an alleged exposé on the lawmaker&#x27;s supposed corrupt practices while he was serving as House Speaker.</p><p>&quot;Ang paghingi ng paumanhin ay pag-amin ng kamalian. Ang aral dito: huwag gumawa ng intriga lalo na kung walang basehan,&quot; Castro said during a Palace press briefing.</p><p>She also warned against spreading unverified claims.</p><p>&quot;Ang pag-iingay nang walang saysay ay nagiging biktima lamang ang mga Pilipino na walang malay at ang paninira na walang basehan ay ginagawa lang na mangmang ang ating mga kababayan,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;Kung kayo ay gagawa ng anumang pag-iimbestiga, siguraduhin ninyo na kayo ay mayroong ebidensya,&quot; Castro added.</p><p>In his apology video, Mabanta also claimed Romualdez drove a wedge between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, eventually leading to the collapse of the UniTeam alliance.</p><p>Asked about Romualdez, Castro said she has not seen the former House Speaker in Malacañang since allegations surfaced linking him to the supposed allocation of billions of pesos for ghost or anomalous flood control projects.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/19/cyber-warrant-out-for-franco-mabanta-s-gadgets-nbi-1312">Cyber warrant out for Franco Mabanta’s gadgets: NBI</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/6/social-media-personality-nabbed-over-alleged-extortion-attempt-0809">Social media personality Franco Mabanta nabbed over alleged extortion attempt vs Martin Romualdez</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HfpV43rLwDc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Malacañang on Monday said the public apology issued by political operator Franco Mabanta serves as a reminder against making allegations without evidence.</p>

Malacañang on Monday said the public apology issued by political operator Franco Mabanta serves as a reminder against making allegations without evidence.

Palace on Mabanta apology: 'Make sure you have evidence'

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Palace on Mabanta apology: 'Make sure you have evidence'

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 29, 2026 05:22 PM PHT

Read More:

Franco Mabanta

Martin Romualdez

Peanut Gallery Media Network

PGMN

politics

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