SMNI asks NTC to specify network’s violations

MANILA, Philippines — Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) filed a pleading before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Thursday, asking the commission to specify the violations committed by the network. 

SMNI asked this through its lawyers Mark Tolentino and Rolex Suplico as it filed a motion for Bill of Particulars before the NTC, asking the commission to explain in detail the network’s franchise violations with attached documentary evidence. 

“The Order of 19 December 2023 did not specify the violation, by the respondent, of its Certificate of Public Convenience, which is within the purview and jurisdiction of this Honorable Office,” SMNI’s motion read.

“As such the respondent cannot intelligently file a responsive pleading without first being informed of the charges against it, particularly its violation of its Certificate of Public Convenience,” it added.

A motion for Bill of Particulars is a motion that a respondent can file or an accused can ask a complainant or a petitioner to specify the alleged defects of the complaint or information and the details desired.

On December 19, the NTC imposed a 30-day suspension on SMNI, a network owned by Apollo Quiboloy, who is on the most wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The network's hosts, known for red-tagging, were prohibited from airing following House Resolution 189 approved by the House of Representatives (HoR).

The House Resolution accused the Quiboloy-owned network of intentionally disseminating false information, transferring shares without congressional approval, and failing to make at least 30% of its outstanding stock available.

On January 4, SMNI also asked the NTC to direct its commissioners to inhibit the network’s franchise violation case.

It argued that the commission’s “impartiality” being both the complainant and the judge violates due process of law. 

The Quiboloy-owned network has also submitted a petition before the Court of Appeals (CA) on Dec. 28, 2023, asking the high court to halt NTC’s suspension of the network.

The CA has yet to release the decision of the network's petition.

In a statement, the NTC said it has acknowledged SMNI’s motion for