House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN) 

The House of Representatives has ordered the immediate transmittal to the Senate of both the resolution on economic constitutional reform and the bill revoking the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). 

The directive was issued on Wednesday night, March 20, or shortly after the lower chamber approved the two measures, designated as Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 and House Bill (HB) No. 9710, respectively, on third and final reading. 

March 20 was the final session date before the Lenten break. The break officially starts on March 22. 

In a formal motion brought before the plenary, Deputy Majority Leader and Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy, declared, “Mr. Speaker, I move that we immediately transmit to the Senate RBH No. 7 and HB No. 9710 which we have just approved on third reading.” 

The presiding officer, Deputy Speaker and TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, swiftly approved the motions after hearing no objections. 

RBH No. 7, which mirrors RBH No. 6 being deliberated in the Senate, seeks to amend specific economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution concerning public utilities, education and advertising by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to give more flexibility regarding foreign ownership and participation in certain investments. 

Speaker Martin Romualdez, who co-authored RBH No. 7 with several other House leaders and members, said the proposed economic constitutional amendments represent the final component of the investment measures pursued by the Marcos administration. 

“These changes, if ratified by our people in a plebiscite, will greatly boost these measures, including our President’s investment missions abroad which have generated actual investments and pledges in the billions of dollars and created thousands of jobs,” the House chief said. 

He said the approval by Congress and by the people of the proposed amendments “will send a powerful message to foreign investors and the international community that the Philippines is now fully open for business and for investments". 

The final approval of RBH No. 7 followed two weeks of thorough plenary deliberations, which were preceded by equally rigorous and extended two weeks of Committee of the Whole House hearings. 

Meanwhile, HB No. 9710 sought to repeal Republic Act (RA) No. 11422, which extended the franchise granted to Suara Sug under RA No. 8122 for an additional 25 years in August 2019. The renewed franchise was originally scheduled to expire in 2044. 

The revocation of SMNI’s franchise was prompted by a series of violations, including spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and committing serious corporate offenses. 

Romualdez defended the revocation of SMNI’s franchise, calling it a “decisive action” that “underscores our commitment to uphold the integrity of broadcasting standards and the public’s trust". 

SMNI openly admitted to transitioning from a non-stock, non-profit corporation to a sole corporation under Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in 2006. 

Later, in 2023, the controlling stake was transferred to Bro. Marlon Acobo, with both transactions taking place without obtaining congressional approval. 

Section 10 of RA 11422 stipulates the requisite congressional approval for such changes, explicitly prohibiting the sale, lease, transfer, or assignment of the franchise without prior congressional consent. 

The same section mandates informing Congress within 60 days of any transaction involving the franchise's sale, lease, transfer, or assignment. Failure to report such changes of ownership, as mandated by Section 10, automatically triggers the revocation of the franchise.