Push Admin

Article (news)

SMNI franchise hearing resumes Monday

RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Members of the House of Representatives open the 2nd regular session of the 19th Congress on July 24, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/news/12/06/20230724-hor-19th-congress-jc3.jpg"/><figcaption>Members of the House of Representatives open the 2nd regular session of the 19th Congress on July 24, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File.</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- The Committee on Legislative Franchises will resume its investigation on the alleged violations of the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) franchise on Monday, according to Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel.</p><p>Pimentel told reporters that the panel has so far found that SMNI violated Sections 4, 10, 11 and 12 of their franchise. Section 4 is concerned with responsibility to the public. This, Pimentel says, was violated because the network was found to spread disinformation and harassment.</p><p>&quot;There is now a pattern of harassment being done by SMNI. This is already a detriment to public interest,&quot; Pimentel said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/04/23/lawmaker-seeks-suspension-of-smni-operations">House panel set to tackle suspension of SMNI operations</a></li>	<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><p>He also explained that SMNI changed ownership without congressional consent, which is a violation of Section 10 that renders the franchise automatically revoked.</p><p>&quot;Ngayon nakalagay po dito, failure to report to Congress such change of ownership shall render the franchise ipso facto revoked. Meaning automatic ho na ire-revoke yun,&quot; Pimentel said.</p><p>On the other hand, Pimentel said Section 11 was violated because SMNI failed to sell 30% of its stocks to the public.</p><p>&quot;Non-compliance of which shall render the franchise ipso facto revoked na naman po automatically revoked po yan,&quot; Pimentel said.</p><p>Pimentel told ANC earlier Wednesday that there is a &quot;big&quot; possibility that the broadcast franchise of the SMNI news channel will be revoked due to their alleged violations. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/06/23/theres-big-chance-smni-franchise-will-be-revoked-pimentel">There&#x27;s &#x27;big&#x27; chance SMNI franchise will be revoked: Pimentel</a></li></ul><p>There is also a chance that SMNI anchors Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz will spend the holidays in detention at the House because the House has only 3 session days left during which they have to adopt the committee report on the SMNI investigation.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/05/23/house-panel-cites-2-smni-hosts-in-contempt">House panel cites 2 SMNI hosts in contempt</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/05/23/smni-anchor-detained-by-house-panel-calls-committee-kangaroo-court">SMNI anchor detained by House panel, calls committee &#x27;kangaroo court&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>The two were held in contempt for disrespectful behavior towards the lawmakers.</p><p>&quot;Kung &#x27;di po ma-adopt &#x27;yung committee report sa plenary next week, tatlong araw na lang &#x27;yung session days natin. Then I&#x27;m sad to say, there&#x27;s a high probability that they will be spending Christmas and New Year doon sa detention natin sa Kongreso,&quot; said Pimentel.</p><p>Just last Monday, PBA Party List Rep. Margarita Ignacia Nograles filed House Resolution 1499 that urged the National Telecommunications Commission to suspend the operations of Swara Sug Media Corporation, also known as SMNI.</p><p>Nograles accused SMNI of violating the terms of its congressional franchise under Republic Act 11422.</p><p>Badoy and Celiz were subsequently held in contempt on Tuesday during the congressional inquiry into allegations of fake news peddling against SMNI.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2893685" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The Committee on Legislative Franchises will resume its investigation on the alleged violations of SMNI on Monday.

SMNI franchise hearing resumes Monday

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

SMNI franchise hearing resumes Monday

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 06, 2023 06:03 PM PHT

Read More:

SMNI

Sonshine Media Network International

Committee on Legislative Franchises

Johnny Pimentel

Lorraine Badoy

Jeffrey Celiz

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.