BREAKING: Former Quezon City 4th District Congressman Marvin Rillo has filed multiple cyberlibel cases against Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) and its anchor Cj Hirro, months after suffering a narrow loss in his bid for re-election to Rep. Bong Suntay.
The lawsuits stem from a series of investigative reports aired by PGMN, beginning with an exposé on the incomplete Carlos L. Albert High School multipurpose building. Despite being launched in March 2023, the project has stalled, leaving only foundations and posts, yet it has already cost the government more than ₱71 million. Citizens Crime Watch (CCW) filed a malversation complaint against Rillo over the same project in March.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) defended the expenditure, claiming the ₱71 million covered only the first phase of a three-phase plan, with a total project budget of ₱225 million. However, Hirro pointed out that neither the bidding documents nor the project billboard mentioned these phases, as required under procurement rules to ensure the continuity of funding. In fact, the second and third phases lacked approved budgets.
PGMN’s investigation revealed troubling discrepancies. Bidding documents listed items like doors, windows, tiles, and ceiling reinforcements—materials typically associated with a completed building, not just concrete posts.
Rillo, reiterating the DPWH’s defense, claimed in a Facebook video that a large portion of the ₱71 million was used for piling work, necessary due to the area’s weak soil. He maintained that the public was only seeing the initial stage of the multi-phase project.
Hirro, however, countered that neither the bidding documents nor the project signage mentioned phases. She also noted that a four-storey classroom building was completed on the same property at a lower cost and without the need for extensive piling, further questioning how the ₱71 million had been allocated.
PGMN’s report garnered over 10 million views across its platforms, prompting Rillo’s constituents to demand accountability for the ₱71 million. Instead of responding to the concerns, Rillo’s camp dismissed the report as fake, labeling Hirro a “hired propagandist” and launching a smear campaign against both PGMN and its journalist. Rillo’s team, led by legal advisor Jesus Falcis, hinted at the possibility of filing cyberlibel charges—an apparent attempt to intimidate Hirro.
Undeterred, Hirro challenged Rillo to a live debate at PGMN’s headquarters, where he could directly address the allegations and clarify how public funds were used. Rillo declined. In a Facebook live session, he lashed out at an unnamed “media” outlet—implied to be PGMN—using derogatory remarks and dismissing Hirro as not being in his “league.” Instead of responding to the questions, Rillo promised legal action. His lawyer then cast doubt on PGMN’s credibility, suggesting that Suntay had financed the reports—a claim PGMN swiftly denied.
Hirro doubled down on her investigation. She later presented evidence showing Rillo’s allies had attempted to orchestrate a smear campaign against both Suntay and PGMN. A witness, Kevin Roissing (alias “Angel”), initially claimed that Suntay’s team funded the attacks on Rillo, but later recanted, admitting he had been coerced by Falcis, Rillo’s associates, and a local political operator to fabricate his story.
PGMN also featured testimony from Brgy. Obrero fire victims, who accused Rillo of withholding aid because they supported Suntay. A whistleblower also alleged that Rillo regularly took a 30% commission on district infrastructure projects, potentially amassing ₱197 million in kickbacks over a three-year period.
These revelations sparked intense public interest, with three high-impact episodes amassing over 30 million views. The controversy became a central issue in the District 4 race. Despite being the incumbent and widely viewed as the frontrunner, Rillo lost to Suntay by a mere 234 votes—just 0.01 percent of the total 183,000 ballots cast.
Rillo’s reputation further deteriorated when contractor Curlee Discaya implicated him during congressional and Senate Blue Ribbon hearings on corrupt flood-control projects. Discaya testified that lawmakers and DPWH officials, including Rillo, regularly demanded 25% kickbacks from project funds. He recounted meetings where Rillo personally met him at Wine Story in Bonifacio Global City and visited the Discayas’ office to collect money. Discaya also claimed that Rillo referred to House Speaker Martin Romualdez in relation to project funding.
In sworn affidavits submitted in September 2025, Discaya and his partner Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya detailed how their construction firms were pressured to pay commissions of 10% to 30% in exchange for project approvals and payments. Their testimony added significant weight to ongoing investigations, though Rillo has denied the allegations and plans to pursue perjury charges against the Discayas, accusing them of false testimony under oath.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed Marvin Rillo on an immigration watchlist, alongside several other Quezon City representatives, amid ongoing investigations into corruption and fraudulent flood-control projects. The Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) alerts authorities to monitor Rillo’s travel movements and report any attempts to leave the country. Although the ILBO does not prevent international travel, it enables the DOJ to take legal action if necessary to prevent potential flight risks. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) requested the lookout bulletin to ensure accountability and transparency in the ongoing cases.
