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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Padilla hits NTC's 'lack of due process' in suspension order vs SMNI

Padilla hits NTC's 'lack of due process' in suspension order vs SMNI

Published Dec 22, 2023 08:12 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla is eyeing to file a resolution in relation to the supposed lack of due process in the National Telecommunications Commission's (NTC) imposition of a 30-day suspension on the operations of television network Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI).

Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla is eyeing to file a resolution in relation to the supposed lack of due process in the National Telecommunications Commission's (NTC) imposition of a 30-day suspension on the operations of television network Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI).

In a statement on Friday, Dec. 22, Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, said that he plans to formally file a resolution to this effect when the Senate resumes sessions in January.

He said SMNI has been "instrumental" in assisting the government in its anti-terrorism campaign through its programs that seek to educate the public against "communist propaganda and recruitment strategies".

"The NTC, in its show cause and suspension order, failed to indicate the need to suspend the operations of the SMNI, much more express how this is necessary to avoid serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or to private interests," Padilla said in the draft of the resolution.

"In the absence of proof of serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or private interests that may be caused by SMNI's continued operations, the general rule shall apply wherein the NTC shall have the power, upon proper notice and hearing, to issue a suspension order pursuant to the Public Services Act," he added.

He noted that while the NTC has the power to suspend or revoke any certificate issued when the holder violated any of its regulation or any provision of Republic Act (RA) 11659, a provision in the law states that the NTC may suspend the entity for up to 30 days "to avoid serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or to private interests".

Also, he said the Supreme Court (SC) had ruled in 2008 that administrative proceedings were "not exempt from basic and fundamental procedural principles, such as the right to due process in investigations and hearings".

"The baseless issuance of a 30-day suspension order is a transgression of SMNI's right to due process, which will result in serious and irreparable damage to it and its employees no less," he said.

Related Tags

SMNI National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Senator Robin Padilla
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