A total of 41 congressmen from different political parties have taken a stand against online platforms that are allegedly being used for intimidation, coercion, disinformation, and financial demands under the guise of media or public commentary.

This, as Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre led the filing of House Resolution (HR) No. 1006, which sought a congressional investigation into alleged robbery extortion activities involving Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN).

Forty other House members affixed their signatures to the resolution, which was expected to be referred to the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology and Public Information for action.

“When a group allegedly prepares damaging material, holds it back and demands money in exchange for not releasing it, that is not journalism. That is extortion,” Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said.

"Kaisa tayo ng bansa sa pagpapahalaga sa malayang panamahayag (We are one with the nation in furthering press freedom). But PGMN is far from practicing real journalism. This resolution intends to expose PGMN's alleged extortion activities and unmask it as a mere fake news peddler," Acidre added.

The signatories to HR No. 1006 are stalwarts of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), National Unity Party (NUP), and party-list bloc--practically the three biggest factions in the lower chamber.

Acidre delivered a privilege speech a day earlier to call for a probe into what he described as “digital blackmail outfits", after reports that PGMN founder Franco Mabanta and several others were arrested in an NBI entrapment operation tied to an alleged P300-million extortion attempt.  

Acidre stressed that the issue goes beyond one individual or one platform and reflects a growing threat to democratic discourse and legitimate journalism itself.

“When a group allegedly prepares damaging material, holds it back, and demands money in exchange for not releasing it, that is not journalism. That is alleged extortion," he said in his speech. 

“A journalist investigates to inform the public. An extortionist threatens to profit from fear,” Acidre said in one of the speech’s strongest passages," he added.

The resolution stressed that the inquiry should protect free expression while drawing a hard line between legitimate public commentary and alleged criminal conduct.

“While freedom of speech and of the press are protected constitutional rights, these freedoms do not shield acts that may constitute robbery, extortion, grave threats, coercion, cybercrime, or other unlawful conduct,” the lawmakers pointed out in the resolution.

It also recognized that public officials are open to criticism, but said such scrutiny must remain within the bounds of law and should not become a cover for harassment, threats or coercion.

The measure cited recent allegations involving PGMN “in connection with supposed acts of robbery extortion directed against Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez".

It pointed to possible violations of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) provisions on robbery, grave threats, grave coercion and libel, as well as provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 on cyber libel, aiding or abetting cybercrime and cyber-enabled offenses.

The resolution also raised the broader concern that digital media networks, livestreaming platforms or organized content operations may be used to pressure public officials and private individuals into giving “money, favors, concessions, or other benefits".

“The alleged acts, if proven true, raise serious concerns on the possible use of online platforms, digital media networks, or organized content operations to pressure, threaten, intimidate, or extract money, favors, concessions, or other benefits from public officials or private individuals,” the resolution stated.

The House inquiry also seeks to determine whether PGMN and persons associated with it are compliant with laws and regulations on registration, taxation, lawful business operations, online monetization and digital platform activities.

The committees were directed to invite PGMN officers, content creators, administrators, representatives, complainants, witnesses, law enforcement officers, digital platform representatives and affected parties to determine the facts, circumstances, intent and accountability behind the alleged acts.

The resolution also calls for coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Anti-Cybercrime Group, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and other regulatory bodies.

It further seeks recommendations for legislative and regulatory measures to strengthen safeguards against “robbery extortion, cyber-enabled coercion, organized harassment, and disinformation,” while preserving legitimate journalism, whistleblowing, public commentary and constitutionally protected speech.