NBI Director Melvin Matibag pushed back against public criticism of the P75-million cash used in the entrapment operation that led to the arrest of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta and four others, saying the method is a routine tool in law enforcement work.
Matibag described the money as what he called “budol money” — a standard entrapment technique where genuine bills are placed on top of bundles while the rest consists of dummy notes. “Yung tinatawag po na marked money ang tawag ko diyan budol money,” he said, adding that the actual cash never left Romualdez’s hands. “Wala pong pera na nilabas diyan si [Rep.] Martin Romualdez. May pang-ibabaw po na totoong pera,” Matibag said.
The NBI director’s remarks came after online commentators, including former Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena “Bing” Guanzon, questioned how P75 million in physical cash could have been mobilized given that Romualdez’s assets and accounts were allegedly frozen. Guanzon, in a public statement dated May 6, asked: “Kala ko naka freeze ang mga pera at ari arian ni Martin Looter King? [Paano] nakapaglabas ng 75 Million na nakamale-maleta? literal na MALE MALETANG PERA talaga ha, ano yun coins only?”
Matibag addressed those remarks directly, cautioning critics without a law enforcement background against drawing conclusions about investigative procedures. “Sana po huwag maggaling-galingan ‘yung mga wala po sa law enforcement na background. Huwag po sanang mag-alam-alaman at maggaling-galingan para mag-criticize lamang,” he said.
The NBI chief also underscored the evidentiary standards his agency applies before conducting any operation. “Kami po [NBI] ay hindi gagalaw o huhuli ng mga ilegal na gawain ng walang malinaw na ebidensya at wala po sa proseso,” Matibag said.
Mabanta and four PGMN associates were arrested on the night of May 5 at Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City following an entrapment operation linked to an alleged P350-million extortion attempt against Romualdez. Mabanta has denied the charges, calling the arrest a setup intended to suppress an imminent investigative report on the former House speaker. The five remain under NBI custody as inquest proceedings continue.
