The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued an indefinite suspension order against Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) radio and television stations. This decision comes after SMNI allegedly failed to comply with a previous 30-day suspension order issued on December 21, 2023, by continuing its operations in certain areas in Region VI until December 27, 2023.
In a statement released on Monday, the NTC ordered Swara Sug Media Corporation, the business entity behind SMNI, to immediately cease and desist its operations until further notice. This suspension will remain in effect pending a hearing and the final consideration of the administrative case filed against SMNI.
The origins of this administrative case can be traced back to House Resolution No. 1499, which accused SMNI of violating the terms and conditions of its franchise under Republic Act No. 11422. The resolution, championed by PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles, specifically cited Section 4 of SMNI’s legislative franchise, which prohibits the network from using its stations or facilities to spread false information.
Nograles’s concern arose from claims made on SMNI’s program “Laban Kasama ng Bayan” by host Jeffrey Celiz. Celiz had alleged that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s travel expenses reached a staggering P1.8 billion. However, House officials refuted this claim, stating that the entire chamber had only spent P39.60 million on travel expenses between January and October 2023.
As the NTC’s suspension takes effect, SMNI will need to respond in writing within fifteen days from the receipt of the order, explaining why it did not adhere to the initial suspension order and detailing its compliance with the current directive.