Almost eleven weeks after Peanut Gallery Media Network declared war against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the network has now published 2,016 posts generating 215,321,549 views across all platforms—making it the most viral anti-corruption campaign against a single political figure in the history of Philippine social media.
In the process, PGMN has made it nearly impossible for the country to forget the allegations, controversies, and decisions tied to Romualdez’s years in power. The network has kept his record in constant public view through reports, videos, explainers, graphics, commentaries, public records, and legal updates examining the corruption allegations surrounding him.
Romualdez is now confronting complaints and allegations involving plunder, direct and indirect bribery, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and money laundering, including accusations tied to billions of pesos in alleged kickbacks and questionable transactions connected to flood-control projects and related fund movements. He has attempted to flee the country to escape accountability at least twice.
Political pressure has also intensified. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his latest State of the Nation Address, announced that multiple cases involving the disgraced former Speaker were nearing filing and made clear that family ties would not shield anyone from accountability.
The flood-control scandal has drawn outrage across political lines, with lawmakers demanding prosecution, imprisonment, and the recovery of public funds from those ultimately proven responsible.
Public rage has been so loud and so heartfelt that organizations such as the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) have called for the return of the death penalty as a punishment for politicians who plunder the government.
To retaliate, Romualdez has also filed more than 80 counts/lawsuits against PGMN and individuals connected to its coverage. PGMN views the volume of litigation as a desperate attempt to exhaust the organization, intimidate its journalists, and force the network into silence as the former Speaker faces mounting political and legal pressure.
PGMN Anchor CJ Hirro has likewise disclosed the threats she has received while continuing to pursue stories involving powerful political figures. “Ang daming threats, especially when we were working on the episode. Pagdating sa mga pulitiko, palaging may threat, palaging may nakakatakot. And every day, I’m thankful that I get to go home to her.”
Despite the lawsuits, threats, coordinated attacks, and attempts to discredit the organization, PGMN has remained defiant. The network continues to expose Romualdez as the most corrupt Filipino politician of the 21st century while tracking the investigations, complaints, and legal proceedings surrounding him.
At 2,016 posts and 215,321,549 views, PGMN remains committed to continuing the coverage until the allegations against Romualdez are fully confronted, accountability is pursued, and justice is served.
By every conceivable metric, it is looking like the Office of the Ombudsman will soon be filing charges against Romualdez that will finally land him in jail.
