Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) anchor CJ Hirro declared herself “innocent and very much alive” in an online post Sunday, speaking publicly for the first time after being named a person of interest in an alleged extortion case involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In the statement posted on social media, Hirro said she is in a secure location and denied any wrongdoing, while thanking supporters for their concern.

“I am CJ Hirro, innocent and very much alive,” she said. “I am now somewhere safe and protected by people I deeply trust.”

Hirro said she had been instructed by her team days earlier to secure her family and ensure the release of a planned episode should anything happen to members of their group, including PGMN figure Franco Mabanta. She said she was unaware at the time of the reason behind the instructions.

The anchor linked the controversy to an upcoming PGMN episode alleging irregularities tied to Romualdez, claiming the report prompted efforts to suppress its release. She also disputed allegations that she and her colleagues were involved in extortion, describing the incident as a “malicious entrapment operation.”

According to a separate post released by PGMN, the group alleged that Mabanta and several associates were set up to appear as if they were soliciting money, insisting that “no extortion happened.” The network claimed Mabanta had been approached and misled over a two-week period to create the impression of wrongdoing.

Hirro further alleged that powerful individuals mobilized resources to block the episode, including legal pressure and online campaigns, though she did not present evidence to support the claims.

Romualdez has not publicly responded to Hirro’s latest remarks. Authorities have yet to release full details of the investigation or confirm the allegations made by either side.

The controversy has drawn attention on social media, with competing narratives emerging over the alleged extortion case and the planned release of PGMN’s episode, titled “#MartinLooterFund.”

Despite the ongoing probe, Hirro said the network would proceed with publication.

“This episode is not worth P350 million,” she said. “And to me, that makes this episode priceless.”