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The Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) building along EDSA in Makati City taken on December 22, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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SMNI

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/20231222-smni-building-MT-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">The Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) building along EDSA in Makati City taken on December 22, 2023. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span></div><p>Revoking the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), will require the approval of the Senate, a lawmaker said Wednesday. </p><p>The House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Tuesday <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">approved a bill revoking the broadcaster&#x27;s congressional franchise.</span> </p><p>&quot;Kailangan po dumaan po muna sa Senado ito. This will pass the regular process. Kailangan basahin sa plenaryo ng Kongreso, second, third reading at dadalhin po sa Senado,&quot; said committee chairperson Paranaque Second District Rep. Gustavo Tambunting.</p><p>(This needs to go through the Senate. This will go through the legislative mill on second and third reading and then the Senate). </p><p>The same House panel also compelled the attendance of Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to explain his ties to the broadcaster which has him as honorary chairman. The panel is probing alleged franchise violations connected to change of ownership without congressional nod.</p><p>Tambunting said he doubts Quiboloy would attend the House probe.</p><p>&quot;Palagay ko hindi pero alam po niyo  yung the mere fact na nagbigay pa rin ng palugit ang committee ng 3 araw on the request of Atty. Topacio just shows you kung gaano ho kaluwag ang committee sa pagbibigay ng lahat ng request nila maski po sa 5 buwan ay minsan hindi dumating si Pastor Quiboloy inimibitahan po sya 4 na beses ay pinagbigyan pa rin na on the special request of Atty. Topacio na bigyan po hanggang Biyernes talaga po lahat ng pagbibigay at luwag ay binigay namin during the 5 month hearing,&quot; he said. </p><p>(I doubt it. But the mere fact that the panel gave a 3-day leeway on the request of Atty. Topacio just shows you the committee has accommodated their requests even if for the last 5 months he skipped 4 invitations to appear. We granted the special request of Atty. Topacio to give them until Friday because we want to give him all the leniency.)</p><p>Tambunting said he hoped enforcing the order compelling Quiboloy&#x27;s attendance at the House probe would not lead to violence.</p><p>The lawmaker sidestepped a request for comment on Vice President Sara Duterte&#x27;s call for Quiboloy to be given a fair trial.</p><p>&quot;I think she was mentioning dapat sa korte... Ginagalang po natin yung opinyon niya. Dito naman po sa Kongreso ang pinag-uusapan po rito ay yung prangkisa ng SMNI, at ito&#x27;y binigay po ng Kongreso. Kung ito&#x27;y binigay ng Kongreso, Kongreso rin po lang ang pwede bumawi po rito ,&quot; Tambunting said.    </p><p>(I think she meant that it should be in court. We respect that. What we&#x27;re discussing in Congress is SMNI&#x27;s franchise which Congress granted and which Congress can revoke.) </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/11/vp-duterte-says-quiboloy-should-have-day-in-court-730">VP Duterte says Quiboloy should have day in court</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/12/-senate-to-give-quiboloy-one-more-chance-to-appear-before-arrest-1500">Senate to give Quiboloy one more chance </a> </div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2985681"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

<p>Revoking the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) will require the approval of the Senate, a lawmaker said. </p>

Revoking the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) will require the approval of the Senate, a lawmaker said.

SMNI's franchise revocation needs Senate nod - solon

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SMNI's franchise revocation needs Senate nod - solon

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 13, 2024 04:19 PM PHT

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Updated March 13, 2024 05:50 PM PHT

Read More:

SMNI

Apollo Quiboloy

politics

Sonshine Media Network Incorporated

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