THE House of Representatives panel approved the bill to revoke the franchise of SMNI and cited the latter’s “honorary chair” Apollo Quiboloy in contempt for failing to heed its subpoena to appear in its hearing.
The Committee on Legislative Franchises also directed the House sergeant at arms to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to bring Quiboloy to the House premises.
But the committee chair, Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, granted the request of Quiboloy’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio to defer the implementation of the order and give the televangelist until Friday to agree to appear in the House.
Topacio told the panel that he is set to meet with Quiboloy Wednesday and would try to convince him to heed the subpoena.
In seeking to cite Quiboloy in contempt, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the televangelist’s continued absence shows that he has no respect for the committee and “acts like God.”
It is clear that Quiboloy has no intention of appearing before the committee, Pimentel added.
“Kahit na mag hearing pa tayo ng 20 beses, kahit na 20 beses nating imbitahin si Pastor Quiboloy, it is very clear that he has no intention whatsoever of appearing in this committee,” he said.
After the contempt citation, the Committee on Legislative Franchises approved without amendments House Bill 9710 which revokes the legislative franchise granted to Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates under the name Sonshine Media Network International, as posted on abogado.com
Pimentel, who also made the motion to approve the bill, said SMNI’s violations of its franchise, or Republic Act 11422, had been established after six committee hearings.
One the provisions it violated was the section in its franchise that requires it to refrain from using its stations for the intentional spread of false information. SMNI had been accused of spreading false reports about Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Another provision violated was on the sale, lease, transfer, or assignment of the franchise without prior congressional approval, as there had been a change of ownership that was not reported to Congress.
Also violated was the provision on the dispersal of ownership, since SMNI failed to offer its outstanding stock to the public.
The fourth violation it committed was failing to comply with the requirement to submit an annual report to Congress on its compliance with its franchise.
