NTC suspends SMNI operations for 30 days

MANILA, Philippines —  The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has suspended the radio and TV channels of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) for allegedly breaking the terms and conditions of its legislative franchise.

In a show-cause order, NTC told Swara Sug Media Corp., parent company of SMNI, to submit in writing within 15 days its defense.

For the meantime, the NTC suspended the radio and TV stations of SMNI for 30 days to make way for an investigation that will commence on Jan. 4, 2024.

NTC decided to force SMNI off air in compliance with Resolution 189 approved by the House of Representatives. The resolution calls on NTC to suspend the business of Swara Sug for allegedly violating the terms and conditions of its franchise, Republic Act 11422.

The resolution lists multiple violations reportedly committed by SMNI in its media business. The issue stemmed from the allegations made by SMNI hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz that Speaker Martin Romualdez spent P1.8 billion on foreign travel between January and October 2023.

In a House committee hearing, Secretary General Reginald Velasco disputed SMNI’s claim, and showed records that Romualdez spent way below that amount, at P4.35 million.

Celiz admitted that he failed to validate the figures that were given to him by an undisclosed source. He was ordered detained at the House for his refusal to identify the source.

Badoy was also ordered detained for showing “disrespect” to the House. She and Celiz staged a hunger strike while in detention.

The House reprimanded SMNI for the several occasions that it tagged media and opposition figures as members of the communist movement without presenting any proof.

On the business side of the franchise, the House noted that SMNI has failed to offer to the public at least 30 percent of its outstanding stock. Similarly, it flagged the changes in SMNI’s corporate structure that were done without congressional approval.

For NTC, these reasons hold enough water to require SMNI to go off air, as the agency sets out to conduct its own hearing on the issue next year.

SMNI, operated by Swara Sug, serves as the broadcasting arm of Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, who claims to be the appointed son of God.

Quiboloy is on the most wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for multiple offenses including the sex trafficking of children.

Suspension orders

SMNI on Thursday said it has yet to receive a copy of the suspension order.

In a message to The STAR, SMNI legal counsel Mark Tolentino gave assurance that the media network will issue an official statement once a copy of the NTC decision is finally received.

“We will give a proper statement at the proper time. We have yet to receive the notice officially,” Tolentino said.

Prior to the 30-day suspension by the NTC, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) imposed a 14-day preventive suspension order on the two programs of SMNI that feature former president Rodrigo Duterte and Badoy.

Tolentino has said that an appeal on the MTRCB ruling will be filed before Christmas.

Imee slams NTC

Sen. Imee Marcos yesterday slammed the NTC for simultaneously imposing a show cause order and a 30-day suspension of the operations of SMNI due to alleged franchise violations.

“Who’s afraid of SMNI? Which media entities will remain to uphold the freedom of the press, speech, and thought?” Marcos said as she accused the NTC of silencing the Quiboloy network.

“Why must we shut down all those who do not agree with us, not even allowing the chance to explain first? How could the NTC issue a show-cause order but simultaneously hand down a 30-day suspension? Amazing!” Marcos said. “Are we afraid that SMNI may be right? Are we afraid of the truth?”

At the Senate, Sen. Risa Hontiveros is set to lead an inquiry on Quiboloy based on his former followers’ allegations that they were forced to solicit money for his lavish lifestyle and to provide sexual services to the pastor.

‘Weaponizing the law’

Although it believes that the network and its talents must be held accountable for peddling disinformation and hate speech, the NUJP said the suspension order issued against SMNI is reminiscent of the previous administration’s attempts to weaponize the law against the media.

“Media workers have the right to feel vindicated or even celebrate these developments, but we cannot lose sight of how these moves have been used against ABS-CBN, Bulatlat and PinoyWeekly,” the NUJP said in a statement yesterday.

It said that the network, its talents and consultants should be held accountable for its offenses, particularly for spreading disinformation and hate speech, “and not for simply offending a member of Congress.”

“Even as SMNI and its supporters cry press freedom and freedom of expression now, may they also reflect on how they cheered on and abetted similar moves when these tactics were being used against journalists and newsrooms,” it added.

Earlier, the NUJP maintained that the freedoms of expression and the press are not blanket justifications for hate speech, vilification and threats. – Bella Cariaso, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Rainier Allan Ronda, Janvic Mateo