The House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Thursday launched its investigation into potential violations of the legislative franchiseof Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), where some of itstelevision anchors have been accused of spreading fake news and engaging in red-tagging.
This move follows a privilege speech by House Deputy Majority Leader David Jay-Jay Suarez, addressing accusations from SMNI anchors Eric Celis and Lorraine Badoy, who claimed that Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez had incurred P1.8 billion in travel expenses—a claim debunked by records of the House.
Celis later apologized to the Speaker and the House, expressing regret for any harm caused by their statements during the program, while Badoy affirmed that they are not involved in any smear campaign against Congress.
The franchise committee, chaired by Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, is also tackling two resolutions from the Makabayan bloc regarding SMNI.
One is on alleged fake news peddling and baseless red-tagging of individuals, groups, and organizations, and another on alleged fakenews peddling, baseless red-tagging, and grave threats against ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and SMNI.
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) vice president forlegal and Regulatory Compliance Group Rudolph Jularbal confirmed SMNI’s accreditation with the organization, subjecting it to KBP rules.
He said KBP is also investigating complaints against SMNI, specifically about fake news and red-tagging.
Asked by Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop about whether SMNI followed the provisions of the KBP Code of Conduct after hearing all the discussions, Jularbal replied: “Your Honor, we beg your indulgence, but in the context of what has been presented and of which I am informed this hearing, the network is lacking in observance of the Code of Conduct.”
He said no anchor of SMNI is accredited by the KBP and no one underwent a seminar on broadcast code.
Tambunting, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of fair and accuratenews reporting, citing the Broadcaster’s Code of the Philippines as a guideline for media practitioners.
He underscored that while free speech and freedom of the press are constitutional rights, the allocation of TV and radio frequencies is subject to the authority of Congress over legislative franchises.
“Let me emphasize that the mandate of the Committee on the Legislative Franchises is the granting, amendment, extension, or revocation of legislative franchises,” Tambunting pointed out.
“It is authorized to exercise its oversight function to determine whether or not the franchise grantees faithfully comply with the terms and conditions of its franchise,” he added.
At the hearing, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, alongside Deputy Secretary General for Finance Dante Roberto Maling, presented the financial report on foreign travel expenses for the Office of the Speaker, all House Members, and the Secretariat.
This was done to refute the allegations made by the SMNI anchors.
“For the Office of the Speaker, the total expenses from January to October 2023 is P4,347,712.58. For all congressmen and the secretariat covering the same period, the total expenses are P35,257,411.01. The overall total for the Office of the Speaker, the House secretariat, and members of Congress on official trips is P39,605,123.61,” Velasco told the House panel.
Panel vice chair, Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, noted that the financial report shows that the entire House for the year 2023 has spent only P39 million, far from the SMNI’s allegation that the Speaker alone has spent P1.8 billion.
Pimentel said that SMNI violated Section 4 of its legislative franchise under Republic Act (RA) No. 11422, which states, among others, that the grantee “shall not use stations or facilities” for the “dissemination of deliberately false information or willful misrepresentation to the detriment of the public interest.”
“So very clear dito, bawal po sa prankisa ninyo na magsabi sa publiko ng mga maling reports or deliberately false information. Now, Mr. Chair, my question is to the SMNI: why should you not be held liable when it is very clear that you have violated Section 4 of your franchise? Ano ang rason na maibibigay nyo sa amin na hindi kayo dapat patulan o hatulan ng violation against your franchise?” Pimentel said.
He continued: “Very clear. Ang alegasyon ng SMNI ay P1.8 billion ang ginastos ng Kongreso sa traveling expenses. It is on record and if you want that we can furnish you the records, nandito ang finance officer, nandito si SecGen, ang ginastos until October was only P39 million.”
“So it would be impossible na magkakaroon ng gastos ng P1.8 billion dahil ang budget for traveling expenses hindi umabot sa sinasabing P1.8 billion. Why should you not be held liable for this Section 4 responsibility to the public, Mr. Chair?”
In his opening statement, Suarez recounted his reaction to the SMNI video claiming the Speaker spent P1.8 billion on travel, expressing offense and concern over the comments made on national broadcasts.
As vice chair of the Committee on Appropriations, Suarez cited his awareness of the House’s expenditures. Disturbed by the false information, he promptly sought clarification on travel expenses from the House’s finance department.
“This was enough reason to stand up in plenary and deliver my speech. And my speech focused on SMNI coming out on national broadcasts and stating a lie, fake news, with disregard whatsoever to truth, facts, and fairness,” Suarez said.
Suarez also underscored the responsibility of media practitioners to validate information before making it public, citing the guidelines of the KBP on unconfirmed reports.
SMNI operates under the 25-year legislative franchise under RA 11422 granted to Swara Sug Media Corporation of the Philippines on Aug. 22, 2019. With Maricel V. Cruz