Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has filed yet another libel case against Peanut Gallery Media Network, whining that the network’s repeated references to him as a “buwaya” (crocodile) and other labels amount to criminal defamation.
In his affidavit, Romualdez complained about thousands of social media comments he claims were influenced by PGMN’s coverage, saying readers now “call me a thief and a ‘buwaya,’ … and celebrate what they believe is my impending imprisonment.”
He even pointed to Mabanta’s “love letter” video, where the PGMN CEO declared that one-third to one-half of the network’s future content would be devoted to explaining Romualdez’s crimes to the entire country and translated into every major Philippine dialect. Romualdez moaned this showed PGMN’s intent was “not to inform the public about me. It is to destroy me.”
Romualdez whined about PGMN repeatedly calling him “the most corrupt politician of the 21st century,” a “plunderer,” “Looter King,” and the mastermind of a corruption scandal. He complained those were treated as fact instead of allegation — even though the Office of the Ombudsman Philippines itself also named him the “master plunderer” and the Sandiganbayan referenced him as the “purported mastermind”.
PGMN has countered that its reporting and commentary concern matters of vital public interest involving a powerful public official, and that Romualdez’s desperate barrage of lawsuits is obviously meant to silence criticism. The network insists it will continue reporting despite the absurd legal pressure.
Since announcing its war against Romualdez 41 days ago, PGMN’s videos and content highlighting the scandals of the former Speaker have generated more than 100 million views across platforms (a breathtaking number), keeping national attention fixed on his corruption. What PGMN has achieved is unprecedented—and is now likely the most viral social media campaign exposé for corruption in the history of Philippine politics.
The latest filing marks the 79th lawsuit Romualdez has lodged against the network, underscoring his escalating legal tantrums.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address, President Bongbong Marcos referenced the Office of the Ombudsman’s announcement that cases against Romualdez would soon be filed—a development that signals that the network’s long campaign to keep public attention on the former House Speaker’s corruption is entering its final chapter.
Corruption is and has always been the Philippines’ biggest problem. Romualdez is broadly recognized as the most corrupt Filipino of the 21st century.
