House Probe Sought Against PGMN for Alleged Power Rate Disinformation

Philippine lawmakers are launching an investigation into alleged disinformation campaigns regarding electricity bills after suspicious content circulated on social media platforms. The inquiry targets Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN), an organization allegedly involved in spreading misleading information about rising power costs.

House Resolution No. 980, introduced by Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry L. Ridon, calls for the House Committee on Public Information to investigate what he describes as “organized disinformation operations” that exploit public concerns over increasing electricity prices. The resolution specifically names PGMN as a subject of investigation.

PGMN is reportedly founded and led by Franco Mabanta, a political strategist with known ties to former President Rodrigo Duterte. This connection has raised questions about potential political motivations behind the content in question.

At the center of the controversy are viral social media posts attributed to PGMN showing what appeared to be dramatic increases in electricity bills. One post displayed a bill dated October 6, 2025, for P724.47, alongside another dated May 7, 2026, showing a substantially higher amount of P7,009.64—nearly ten times the earlier bill.

However, lawmakers noted a critical discrepancy: the bills presented in these posts contained different Customer Account Numbers (CANs). This inconsistency suggests the bills belonged to different households rather than showing a price increase for a single residence.

“The use of different Customer Account Numbers in a single narrative presentation strongly suggests that the content may have been deliberately constructed to mislead the public,” the resolution stated. Without clear explanation of this discrepancy, such content raises serious concerns about intentional deception that could constitute public disinformation.

Representative Ridon emphasized that the inquiry aims to determine whether entities like PGMN are part of coordinated efforts to manipulate public perception on critical national issues, particularly electricity pricing. Rising power costs represent a legitimate concern for many Filipino households, making this topic particularly sensitive for exploitation.

“Rising electricity costs is a real concern which should be resolved immediately by government, particularly measures relating to the removal of VAT and other taxes from electric bills,” Ridon noted on social media. “However, it is a different matter if disinformation content is created and spread to exploit public anxiety over this issue.”

The proposed investigation will have broad scope. The House panel is expected to summon content creators, responsible officers, and other individuals linked to the production and dissemination of these materials. The goal is to establish their authenticity, intent, and accountability under existing laws.

The committee will also coordinate with key government agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, to determine if any laws were violated. The investigation will examine whether those involved are compliant with requirements related to taxation, registration, and lawful business operations.

Beyond addressing this specific case, the resolution aims to develop legislative and regulatory measures to curb the spread of disinformation more broadly. It seeks to strengthen safeguards that protect consumers from misleading content, especially on issues of public interest like utility pricing.

The investigation comes amid growing concerns about the impact of disinformation in Philippine society, particularly as it relates to public policy issues and consumer protection. If successful, this inquiry could set a precedent for how similar cases of alleged disinformation are handled in the future.