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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Mindanao solon slams SMNI: 'Irresponsible network' 

Mindanao solon slams SMNI: 'Irresponsible network' 

Published Dec 6, 2023 05:54 am

At A Glance

  • Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel believes that controversial network SMNI is beIng used as a tool to spread false information with regard to attacking, maligning, destroying the reputation of certain individuals and entities.

IMG-e30004ad22a774a1e62598ed4def5707-V.jpgSurigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel (PPAB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel believes that he has figured out what controversial network SMNI is all about. 

During the House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing on the possible franchise violations of SMNI Tuesday, Dec. 5, Pimentel spoke his mind on what he thought was wrong with the network. 

“It seems that SMNI has a pattern of harassing individuals and entities using false information," said the Mindanaoan, who is a vice chairman of the committee. 

"I sincerely believe that SMNI is being used as a tool to spread false information with regard to attacking, maligning, destroying the reputation of certain individuals and entities,” Pimentel said. 

To prove his theory, he cited several cases faced by SMNI, not only in the courts but also in organizations like the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). 

He cited other cases, such as lawsuits filed against SMNI by the families of missing University of the Philippines (UP) students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, and a case involving broadcaster Atom Araullo, whom the network accused of having ties to communist groups. 

"Makikita talaga natin (We can really see that) SMNI is not a responsible network,” Pimentel said. 

ALSO READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/4/davao-solon-seeks-stoppage-of-smni-operations

 

One key topic raised during the hearing was whether or not SMNI anchor Lorraine Badoy can provide her allegation that former vice president Leni Robredo was allied with the Reds or communists. 

When the Mindanao solon asked Badoy for substantial evidence to support her claim against Robredo, the SMNI anchor clarified that the statement was part of her official duty as strategic communications cluster head of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC. 

Badoy is a co-host in an SMNI program dubbed Laban Kasama Ang Bayan. In a recent episode, she and her co-host Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz alleged that House Speaker Martin Romualdez had spent a whopping P1.8 billion in his travels.  

This has since been proven to be fake news during an earlier hearing of the committee, where Celiz even apologized to Romualdez and the rest of the House of Representatives.  

"SMNI is being used as a platform to malign, to destroy, sisiraan ang isang tao, isang entity (to defame a person or an entity), which is a clear violation of Section 4 responsibility to the public," Pimentel said, referring to the network's franchise under Republic Act (RA) No.11422. 

Pimentel underscored the committee's authority to approve, amend, revoke, or repeal the franchise of any holder not in compliance with the provisions of RA No.11422. 

"I hope na nakikita po ng committee itong mga kasalanan ng SMNI, itong mga infractions nila (I hope the committee sees these infractions of SMNI). It is within our power to approve, to amend or to revoke or to repeal any franchise holder na nakikita natin (that we see) who is not in compliance with the provisions in their franchise,” he said. 

Enacted in August 2019, RA No.11422 granted a 25-year franchise renewal to SMNI, legally operating as Swara Sug Media Corporation of the Philippines.  

 

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SMNI Johnny Pimentel lorraine badoy
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