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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Davao solon seeks stoppage of SMNI operations 

Davao solon seeks stoppage of SMNI operations 

Published Dec 4, 2023 10:55 pm

At A Glance

  • Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Margarita "Migs" Nograles is seeking the suspension of the operation of controversial television network SMNI. 

FB_IMG_1701730018858.jpgPBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles (Facebook)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A ranking solon from Davao City is seeking the suspension of the operations of controversial television network SMNI. 

Through House Resolution (HR) No.1499, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Margarita "Migs" Nograles is urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to halt the operations of SMNI. 

The measure was read on the floor during plenary session Monday night, Dec. 4. 

The resolution stated that SMNI failed to fulfill its responsibilities to the public when it aired false information regarding the alleged P1.8 billion travel expenses of Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

The amount and the Speaker's name was brought up during an episode of the program "Laban Kasama ng Bayan" hosted by Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz and Lorraine Badoy. 

Celiz admitted in a Nov. 30 hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing that the P1.8 billion travel expenses allegation was "wrong and was not validated", according to the resolution. The program host would later apologize to Romualdez and the House in the same hearing. 

“Whereas, with the admission that the source of information was wrong and that the information was not vetted, in addition to the various complaints filed against SMNI for fake news peddling and red-tagging, it is clear that the SMNI violated its responsibility to the public not to use its stations or facilities for the deliberate dissemination of false information o willful misrepresentation to the detriment of the public interest,” read Nograles' resolution. 

“Pending the recommendation of the Committee on Legislative Franchises on the alleged violations of SMNI, it is the duty of NTC to immediately stop the deliberate dissemination of false information that may generate cynicism and mistrust on matters involving public interest,” argued the lawyer-solon. 

Incidentally, during the Nov. 30 hearing about the fake news on travel expenses, NTC Deputy Commissioner Alvin Blanco told the congressmen that he saw "infractions" on the part of SMNI. 

 

HAVE YOU READ THIS? 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/1/is-smni-in-trouble-for-airing-false-report-on-speaker-s-travel-expenses

 

 

“There appears to be infractions, Mr. Chair, on certain provisions of the franchise, particularly the reference provision on Section 4 on the responsibility of the franchisee not to use the station or its facilities for the dissemination of willful or false information.”  

Blanco was referring to the provision in Republic Act (RA) No.11422, which granted a 25-year franchise renewal to SMNI, legally operating as Swara Sug Media Corporation of the Philippines.  

The congressional franchise was enacted in August 2019.  

The Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting-chaired legislative franchises committee is the panel that approves and rejects franchise applications in the House. 

Related Tags

margarita migs Nograles SMNI Martin Romualdez pba party-list
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