Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz (left), Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting (PPAB)

SMNI program anchor Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz better make sure that his so-called "source" for his P1.8-billion travel spree allegation-slash-fake news against House Speaker Martin Romualdez is an existing person. 

Thus, said Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting, who appeared unconvinced that Celiz had was telling the truth about this source. 

"He named that it’s (source) an employee of the Senate and I think he’s also duty boubnd to make sure that, that person exists. At hindi po kathang-isip lang ito (And that this is not just imaginary)," Tambunting said in a recent interview. 

The issue of the mystery source had already gained the attention of Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri. He has urged the House panel to get to the bottom of it. 

The Tambunting panel is conducting a inquiry on alleged franchise violations by controversial television network SMNI, which carries the program "Laban Kasama Ang Bayan". 

Celiz and his co-anchor Lorraine Badoy brought up the allegation that Speaker Romualdez spent a whopping P1.8 billion on his travels on thw Nov. 27 episode of this program. Solons proved it to be false in a hearing three days later. 

During a Dec. 5 hearing by the same panel, a defiant Celiz refused to name his source and made a scene. This led to him being cited in contempt and detained by the House. 

Badoy was also ordered detained during the same hearing. 

Tambunting noted that Celiz refused to identify his alleged source even after a congressman suggested holding a closed-door executive session. This makes him suspect that the anchor may be just blowing them smoke. 

"Kung hindi mo masabi ang pangalan even on exectuive session, na kung saan may congressman na present at hindi pwede ilabas yang source na yan, e hindi ba pati kayo mag-iisip na meron ba?" asked the committee chairman. 

(If you can't even say the name during an executive session, where the congressmen present won't be able to reveal that source, wouldn't you also wonder if there's really one?) 

The fake news on the travel spree claim triggered the legislative franchises panel's probe on SMNI's franchise. Tambunting has said that there will be a third hearing on the matter.