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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Don't be swayed by external interests': Acidre sends message to Senate on SMNI revocation bill 

'Don't be swayed by external interests': Acidre sends message to Senate on SMNI revocation bill 

Published Mar 21, 2024 06:20 am

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre hopes that the Senate will exercise "objectivity and impartiality" if and when it tackles the measure seeking the revocation of television network SMNI's franchise. 

20240321_114339(1).jpgTingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

House Deputy Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre hopes that the Senate will exercise "objectivity and impartiality" if and when it tackles the measure seeking the revocation of television network SMNI's franchise.

"Napasa na natin, nasa Senado na rin (We've passed it, it's with the Senate)," Acidre said in a press conference Thursday, March 21.

The deputy majority leader was referring to House Bill (HB) No. 9710, which the House passed on third and final reading during plenary session Wednesday, March 20.

"We cannot, of course, tell the Senate what to do. They will have to look into the evidence. They will have to look into the merits of the discussions, a well as the bill that has been presented or referred to them," Acidre said.

"Our only hope is that the Senate would look at it really objectively and not to be swayed by external interests," he said.

The Tingog solon didn't specify what he meant by "external interests".

"I have full trust that the Senate has a track record of doing investigations and I hope that they will also take this bill with the same impartiality and objectivity," Acidre further said.

SMNI is closely associated with the controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church. He is widely known as the self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God".

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.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House, 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".

The approved HB No.9710 was transmitted to the Senate after its third-reading passage.

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