The franchise of news outlet Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) has not been revoked under Marcos Jr.’s administration, contrary to a claim made by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
His statement about the “detention” of SMNI anchors lacks context.
STATEMENT
In a July 7 gathering with overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, Roque said:
“Mantakin ninyo, ang kaisa-isang istasyon na sumuporta sa kanya [Marcos Jr.] noong election — ang kaisa-isang istasyon na kanyang binigyan ng pagkakataon para sumali sa debate dahil ito ay patas — ang SMNI, tinanggalan ng prangkisa.”
(Imagine, the only station that supported him during the elections — the one and only station where he had a chance to participate in a debate because of its fairness — SMNI, its franchise was canceled.)
Source: Harry Roque Facebook page, Maisug Hong Kong, July 7, 2024, watch from 6:52 to 7:11
In the same video, Roque mentioned the detention last December of SMNI program hosts Eric Celiz and Lorraine Badoy at the House of Representatives but left out the fact that both were cited in contempt.
“Hawak na nila ang traditional media and yet ayaw nilang nakakarinig ng kritiko.Ano’ng ginawa sa mga nagtatanong kung paano ginastos ang kaban ng bayan gaya nila Ka Eric at Lorraine Badoy? Ipinakulong.”
(They already have the traditional media and yet they still do not want to hear critics. What did they do to those who asked how public funds were spent, including Ka Eric and Lorraine Badoy? They were detained.)
Source: watch from 7:22 to 7:39
FACT
Although the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) had issued a cease and desist order against SMNI’s radio and television operations, its franchise remains legally valid.
The bill canceling SMNI’s franchise has been approved only by the House of Representatives. The Senate version has been pending in the Committee on Public Services.
SMNI is the media arm of the religious Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church founded by the controversial pastor and self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” Apollo Quiboloy.
In 2019, SMNI’s franchise was extended for another 25 years through Republic Act No. 11422. It is set to expire in 2044 yet, unless repealed by another law.
“The appropriate manner of effecting revocation is through a repeal of the franchise law. Thus, the repealing statute must undergo the same legislative process as when a bill is passed into law,” said Sen. Grace Poe.
The bill was filed in the House after Celiz claimed on the Nov. 27 episode of “Laban Kasama ng Bayan” that the travel expenses of Speaker Martin Romualdez allegedly reached P1.8 billion in a year, which his allies denied.
When the House Committee on Legislative Franchises probed into the issue, Celiz was cited in contempt for refusing to name the source of his information.
Meanwhile, Badoy, also an SMNI host, was issued the same order for “not being forthright about their supposed income from co-producing their show.”
Both were detained at the House of Representatives for a week before they were released on “humanitarian considerations” last Dec. 12.
SMNI continues to operate online and on social media, as they are allowed to do so despite NTC’s cease and desist order.
(The author is a journalism student at the UP College of Mass Communication and is doing his internship with VERA Files.)
Check out these sources
On NTC’s cease and desist order on SMNI franchise
ABS-CBN, NTC orders SMNI to stop operations pending case resolution, Jan. 23, 2024
Inquirer.net, NTC orders SMNI to stop operations indefinitely, Jan. 23, 2024
Rappler, NTC orders stop to SMNI operations, Jan. 23, 2024
On the release of Badoy and Celiz
ABS-CBN, House panel lifts detention of SMNI hosts Badoy, Celiz, Dec. 12, 2023
GMA News, House releases SMNI program hosts Celiz, Badoy, Dec. 12, 2023
Rappler, Badoy, Celiz released from detention for ‘humanitarian considerations’, Dec. 12, 2023
PhilStar.com, Senate concurrence needed to revoke SMNI franchise’, March 22, 2024
Inquirer.net, Poe says SMNI franchise recall bill a precedent for future legislation, March 21, 2024
Manila Bulletin, SMNI franchise revocation bill to undergo utmost study, scrutiny in Senate–Poe, March 21, 2024
Official Gazette of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 11422, Aug. 22, 2019
Senate of the Philippines, House Bill No. 9710 Legislative History, May 6, 2024
House of Representatives, House panel cites SMNI anchors in contempt, Dec. 5, 2023
House of Representatives, SMNI ANCHOR APOLOGIZES OVER FAKE NEWS ON SPEAKER’S TRAVEL EXPENSE, Nov. 30, 2023
Atty. Mark Tolentino Facebook Page, Ang Kalayaan! Kasama si Ka Eric and Doc Loraine ng SMNI!, Dec. 12, 2023