MANILA, Philippines: In a recent development, Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez of 1-Rider Party-List has filed a bill with the aim of revoking the legislative franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
The bill, which was filed on Monday, December 11, 2023, comes as a response to the alleged transgressions and abuses committed by the franchise grantee, Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC), operating under the business name Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), as identified by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
The original franchise, granted under Republic Act (RA) 8122 in 1995, was initially valid for 25 years. In 2019, the franchise was renewed for another 25 years through the enactment of RA 11422. However, the bill seeks to repeal RA 11422, citing the numerous franchise violations committed by Swara Sug.
“Having exposed Swara Sug’s multiple franchise violations, it is incumbent upon the House of Representatives, therefore, to exercise its mandate provided for under Article XII Section 11 of the Constitution, by repealing RA 11422 in the interest of justice and the common good,” states the bill’s explanatory note.
On Tuesday, the House committee ordered the release of Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Badoy-Partosa from detention on humanitarian grounds and in the spirit of the Yuletide season. The committee had previously cited the two individuals for contempt and detained them at the House.
Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, the committee’s chairman, clarified that the release order was unrelated to the petition filed by the spouses of Celiz and Badoy-Partosa before the Supreme Court. He emphasized that the decision to release them was purely based on humanitarian reasons, ensuring that they would not spend Christmas and New Year in detention.
Tambunting also assured that the committee’s decision to detain Celiz and Badoy-Partosa was made within the bounds of the Constitution and the existing Rules of the House of Representatives.
During the committee hearing on Tuesday, a motion to release the two individuals was entertained after Celiz complied with the demand to disclose the name of his source, whose information regarding Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s travel expenses was later admitted to be incorrect.
The committee took into account Celiz’s letter of apology, in which he acknowledged the dissemination of fake news based on his source’s incorrect information. Tambunting stated, “All in all, we have taken cognizance of Mr. Celiz’s apology, his admission that what he mentioned was fake news, and his earnest appeal to be released to attend to his ailing mother.”
“We are ordering the release of Mr. Celiz and Ms. Badoy-Partosa on humanitarian grounds and in the spirit of the Yuletide season. No more, no less,” he added.
This recent bill to revoke the legislative franchise of Sonshine Media Network International reflects the ongoing efforts to address alleged violations and ensure accountability within the media industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains crucial to adhere to the principles of justice and the common good.
Source: The Manila Times
