Edu Manzano and GF Anna Cuisia clarify role in Peanut Gallery Media Network
TV host-actor Edu Manzano Facebook)
TV host-actor Edu Manzano and his girlfriend Ann Cuisia, a tech company CEO, clarified that they are not employees of the online channel Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN).
According to the couple, they served only as "volunteer content contributors" and were never on the payroll of the media platform.
In a joint statement, Edu and Anna clarified their job description on the online news channel.
"We contributed to PGMN because we believed in what it uniquely offered… a platform for free speech. It gave us a space where we could speak in our own voice, carry our own scripts, and express our views without biased censorship. That mattered to us," the statement said.
Edu and Anna went on to highlight that they were not full-time employees of PGMN.
"We were volunteer content contributors, not journalists. We were not employees. We had no contracts, no salary, no talent fee, and no commercial arrangement," they added.
The clarification came after issues and allegations involving PGMN founder Franco Mabanta and his alleged bribery or extortion of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Edu and Ann also shared that their participation was rooted in the belief that free expression is important.
"For us, this was responsible civic engagement," they added.
Edu and Anna also thanked their fellow contributors, saying they gave their time to PGMN out of patriotism and good intentions.
"We are not issuing this statement to judge, condemn, or throw anyone under the bus. Matters of guilt or innocence belong to the proper legal process,” Edu shared.
"We speak only for ourselves, in defense of our own character, credibility, and sincere desire to help our country in whatever way we can.
“The principle that brought us there should be louder than the noise we hear today. Free speech, carried with responsibility, courage, and love of country, is critical.
“Free speech has no price tag. Volunteerism has no price tag. And we remain our own voice," the post ended.