Edu Manzano, Ann Cuisia clarify role as volunteer contributors in PGMN

• Photo courtesy of Ann Cuisia

Veteran television personality Edu Manzano and TraXion Tech Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ann Cuisia issued a statement clarifying that they served only as volunteer content contributors for Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN), emphasizing that they were never employees, journalists, or paid talents of the platform.

In a joint statement, Manzano and Cuisia said they joined the platform because they believed in what it represented — “a platform for free speech” where contributors could express their views “without biased censorship.”

“We had no contracts, no salary, no talent fee and no commercial arrangement,” the statement read. “We gave our time, voices and content because we believed Filipinos should be able to speak, question and take part in public discourse without fear.”

The two stressed that their participation was rooted in civic engagement and patriotism, saying they understood how public systems affect Filipino families, workers, businesses, and future generations.

They also acknowledged fellow contributors who, according to them, volunteered their time “in good faith and at zero cost” because they cared about the country.

Earlier this May, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested social media personality and PGMN founder Franco Mabanta for alleged extortion of former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Amid ongoing discussions surrounding the platform, Manzano and Cuisia clarified that they were not issuing the statement to “judge, condemn or throw anyone under the bus,” adding that questions of guilt or innocence should be left to the legal process.

“We speak only for ourselves, in defense of our own character, credibility and sincere desire to help our country in whatever way we can,” they said.

The statement ended with a reaffirmation of their belief in responsible free speech and volunteerism.

“Free speech has no price tag. Volunteerism has no price tag. And we remain our own voice,” the statement concluded.