NTC suspends SMNI for 30 days

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued a suspension order for 30 days against broadcast operator Swara Sug Media Corporation, also known as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

The suspension order, which was dated December 19, was served yesterday and is effective upon receipt.

NTC deputy commissioner Jon Paulo Salvahan said a show cause order was also served on SMNI ordering it to explain in writing within 15 days from receipt of the order why it should not be administratively sanctioned for alleged violation of the condition of its authorities granted under its legislative franchise.

Salvahan said the NTC has set a hearing on January 4, 2024 to discuss the issues thrown against SMNI.

The suspension order was issued in response to Resolution No. 189 adopted by the House of Representatives on December 11 urging the NTC to suspend SMNI for supposed violation of its legislative franchise and unethical practices.

In suspending Swara Sug’s radio and television operations, the NTC cited Section 16 of the Public Service Act, as amended, and said that it took cognizance of the House’s declaration that SMNI violated at least three specific provisions of its legislative franchise, Republic Act No. 11422.

It also said that it gave “due deference” to the House’s authority over all matters directly and principally relating to the grant, amendment, extension, or revocation of franchises.

The NTC was one of the invited agencies which participated as a resource person/agency in three committee hearings conducted by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on the claims of SMNI host Jeffrey Celiz, on his “Laban Kasama ng Bayan” program, that a “source” in Congress supposedly told him that Speaker Martin Romualdez spent P1.8 billion for travel in just a year, a claim that was disproved by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.

Celiz, along with co-host Lorraine Badoy-Partosa, was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the House committee for his initial refusal to name his source and for his evasive answers to the lawmakers’ questions.

The two were subsequently released by the House after the two sought relief from the Supreme Court and