MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senator Robinhood Padilla wants the indefinite suspension of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) radio and television stations investigated in the Senate.
Through Senate Resolution No. 960, which was lodged on Monday,听 Padilla asked the听 Senate committee on public information and mass media to inquire about the indefinite suspension order imposed by the National听 Telecommunications Commission (NTC)听 against SMNI last January 18.
The indefinite suspension order stemmed from SMNI鈥檚 alleged failure to comply with听 NTC鈥檚 previous 30-day suspension order last December over the network鈥檚 alleged violations of its franchise鈥檚 terms and conditions.
鈥淭he imposition of baseless suspension orders on SMNI not only constitutes a denial of due process but also an erosion of press freedom,鈥� Padilla said in the resolution.
While recognizing the听 NTC鈥檚 power to suspend or revoke any certificate issued under听 the provisions of the Public Services Act, the senator听 pointed out a proviso in the law which states that the suspension should not exceed 30 days 鈥渢o avoid serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or to private interests.鈥�
鈥淭he NTC, in its show cause and suspension order, failed to indicate the need to suspend the operations of the SMNI, much more express how this is necessary to avoid serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or to private interests,鈥澨� Padilla said in the resolution.
鈥淚n the absence of proof of serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or private interests that may be caused by SMNI鈥檚 continued operations, the general rule shall apply wherein the NTC shall have the power, upon proper notice and hearing, to issue a suspension order pursuant to the Public Services Act,鈥� he pointed out.
Last January 8,听 Padilla also lodged听 Senate Resolution No. 895, condemning the 30-day suspension order against SMNI.
SMNI听 has been accused of propagating false news after one of its show hosts, Jeffrey Celiz, alleged that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez鈥檚 travel expenses have reached P1.8 billion.
The allegation was already belied by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, who said that the entire chamber only spent P39.60 million for its travels between January and October of 2023.