The House of Representatives has voted to revoke the broadcast franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), linked to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The decision, passed with a vote of 284-4-4, comes after allegations of various violations including spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and corporate offenses.
Speaker Martin Romualdez emphasized the constitutional duty behind the decision, stating, “Tinutupad lamang po natin ang mandatong ini-atang sa atin ng Konstitusyon at ng taumbayan. Walang personalan dito. Trabaho lang.” (“We are simply fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us by the Constitution and the people. There are no personal grudges here. Just work.”)
The investigation stemmed from allegations made by SMNI hosts regarding Speaker Romualdez’s purported extravagant spending on travel. Additionally, SMNI’s transition from a non-profit corporation to a sole corporation under Quiboloy in 2006, and subsequent transfer of controlling stake to Bro. Marlon Acobo in 2023, were conducted without congressional approval, violating franchise regulations.
Even the Makabayan bloc, including Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, supported the revocation. Brosas emphasized the importance of halting SMNI’s dissemination of disinformation and red-tagging.
“Hindi dapat ihanay ang SMNI sa iba pang media tulad ng ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5, Bulatlat, Atlermidya at iba pa. Para itong isang insulto sa marangal na propesyon ng mga tunay na midya at media practitioners,” Castro expressed. (“SMNI is not media and should not be considered as such. It should not be treated like ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5, Bulatlat, Atlermidya. That would be an insult to legitimate media.”)