Facebook takes down Duterte programs on SMNI

MANILA, Philippines — The “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” Facebook page of former president Rodrigo Duterte has been removed, according to Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the SMNI Digital Media Management said that Facebook made the decision without informing the media network.

SMNI said it will remain committed to inform the public about Duterte as it asked supporters to follow other social media accounts of the network.

“We understand that this removal is yet another effort to silence our devotion to delivering truthful news. But we won’t be silenced. Our commitment to fight for press freedom and contribute to the growth of our nation remains unshakeable,” it added.

“Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” featured Duterte with Apollo Quiboloy as co-anchor. It was aired not only on Facebook but other social media handles of SMNI.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has investigated the program’s violations amid complaints of the show’s contents.

Meanwhile, lawyer Dino de Leon has mulled legal actions against Ombudsman Samuel Martires if the latter would continue to deny his request to release the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of former president Duterte and his daughter, incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a letter dated June 5, received by the ombudsman on the same day, De Leon requested for the SALNs of the Dutertes from 2007 to 2023.

De Leon lamented that he previously requested for the SALNs of the Duterte father and daughter, invoking his right to freedom of information, but it was denied by the ombudsman for lack of notarized authorization from the SALN declarants.

“Such an unreasonable requirement renders inutile my right as a citizen to scrutinize the filed SALNs of public officials,” he said.

De Leon said that continued refusal by Martires to grant the citizens’ constitutional right to access the SALNs of public officials can be considered a “betrayal of public trust,” which is an impeachable offense.

“As such, I hope to receive your positive reply within 15 days from your receipt of this request. Otherwise, I will be constrained to seek judicial and constitutional reliefs available to me as a citizen,” he added.

In September 2020, Martires issued Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020, which effectively restricted public access to the SALNs of government officials.