SONSHINE Media Network International (SMNI) has filed a petition with the Court of Appeals (CA), challenging the legality of the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) 30-day suspension order.
Attorneys Mark Tolentino and Rolex Suplico, representing SMNI, have filed a certiorari petition along with a request for a preliminary injunction.
The NTC’s suspension, coupled with a show-cause order directed at Swara Sug Media Corporation (SMNI’s business name), requires a written explanation within 15 days, citing violations of its legislative franchise.
The NTC’s directive refers to Section 16 (n) of the Public Service Act and aligns with the House of Representatives’ resolution, with an administrative hearing set for January 4, 2024.
The NTC’s move is prompted by House Resolution No. 1499, accusing SMNI of breaching Republic Act No. 11422.
PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles, the resolution’s principal author, underscores Section 4 of SMNI’s franchise, limiting the spread of false information..
This pertains to claims by SMNI host Jeffrey Celiz about Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s travel expenses amounting to P1.8 billion.
In an interview at the CA, Atty. Suplico stated that SMNI filed the petition based on the grounds that the suspension order violated due process of law.
He also suggested that the NTC might have yielded to the influence of the House of Representatives, potentially violating the constitutional provision on the separation of powers.
“It seems like they listened, they were influenced by the House of Representatives because they are suspending without due process just based on the recommendation of the House of Representatives without us being given a chance. Don’t forget the NTC has what they call quasi-judicial function. The influence of the House of Representatives through the NTC is a violation of our constitution, especially the principle of separation of power, ” Suplico said.
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