Zubiri: Senate can probe SMNI host’s ‘source’ if named

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Senate can look into a supposed leak whom a commentator for SMNI claims is his source for commentary on House Speaker Martin Romualdez&#x27;s travel expenses but, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said, the chamber will need more details.Zubiri said he is not aware of anyone at the Senate supposedly leaking information &quot;to any reporter on any House matter.&quot;SMNI anchor Jeffrey Celis told members of the House panel on congressional franchises that his claim that Romualdez spent P1.8 billion for trips — a claim he has since withdrawn as wrong — was from a source who is a Senate employee.&quot;Until the concerned resource speaker names a Senate employee, there is no reason to believe that these allegations are anything more than intrigues being sown to create controversy and &#x27;fake news&#x27;,&quot; Zubiri said Sunday.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/30/23/house-panel-seeks-senate-comment-on-smni-anchors-claims">House panel seeks Senate comment on SMNI anchor&#x27;s claims</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/30/23/smni-anchor-admits-claim-on-house-speakers-travel-fund-wrong">SMNI anchor admits claim on House Speaker&#x27;s travel fund wrong</a></li></ul><div>INTERPARLIAMENTARY COURTESY</div>He added that the chambers of Congress respect interparliamentary courtesy and that he &quot;would not want to put a rift&quot; between the Senate and the House of Representatives.Interparliamentary courtesy ensures that the smaller, nationally-elected Senate and larger locally-elected House of Representatives treat each other as co-equal chambers of Congress.House Deputy Majority Leader David Suarez of Quezon said Celiz&#x27;s claim entered &quot;dangerous waters&quot; in interparliamentary courtesy because it implies &quot;someone is releasing disinformation about the lower chamber.&quot;Zubiri on Sunday suggested that the House continue into its investigation, which looks at possible franchise violations by SMNI, &quot;and press for the concerned person to reveal the name of their alleged source from the Senate.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/29/23/claims-about-speakers-travel-costs-trigger-house-probe-of-smni">Claims about Speaker Romualdez&#x27; travel expenses trigger House probe of SMNI</a></li></ul>Celis, who claims to be both a former communist guerrilla and a journalist, said he is protected by law from revealing his source.Under Republic Act No. 53, journalists &quot;cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news-report or information...which was related in confidence to such publisher, editor or reporter&quot; unless a court, or a committee or chamber of Congress, considers revelation of the source in the interest of the State.&quot;If they can prove it is an employee of the Senate, then we will initiate disciplinary action on those involved,&quot; Zubiri said on Sunday.

'Until the concerned resource speaker names a Senate employee, there is no reason to believe that these allegations are anything more than intrigues being sown to create controversy and 'fake news',' Zubiri said.

Zubiri: Senate can probe SMNI host’s ‘source’ if named | ABS-CBN

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Zubiri: Senate can probe SMNI host’s ‘source’ if named

Zubiri: Senate can probe SMNI host’s ‘source’ if named

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 03, 2023 02:32 PM PHT

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Jeffrey Celis

SMNI

Sonshine Media Network International

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