House questions SMNI's China TV ties
By Nidz Godino
"This is very dangerous if franchise holder has cooperation or collaboration with Chinese government state-owned China media network, which we all know that information China has been releasing especially on WPS are pure lies," Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco said House panel questioned partnership of broadcasting company Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) with state-run Chinese Global TV Network (CGTN), citing dispute over West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Tiangco raised this during continuation of hearing of House committee on legislative franchises on alleged involvement of SMNI in spreading disinformation.
"What is effect of this... on those given franchise by Congress?" Tiangco noted.
SMNI legal counsel Mark Tolentino clarified agreement is only for SMNI Foundation and Chinese embassy "with respect to basketball court in Davao City and Leyte."
Tolentino added with regard to partnership between SMNI and CGTN, "there is no written agreement yet" as it is still in process of negotiation.
Christina San Pedro, of SMNI Operation, said agreement only covers sharing of video footage between two networks. San Pedro claimed CGTN could not dictate on SMNI about news content latter would air.
House committee on legislative franchises has adopted House Resolution 1499, urging National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend operation of SMNI for "gross violation" of its legislative franchise.
In hearing on probe related to SMNI's alleged franchise violations, Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Rep. Margarita Nograles, author of resolution, urged Securities and Exchange Commission to terminate SMNI's SEC registration "due to fraud, which is violation of Revised Corporation Code."
Voting anonymously with abstention by Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, HR 1499 was adopted for plenary approval.
During hearing, Nograles said SMNI committed gross violations of its franchise including irresponsible and reckless practice of broadcasting fake and baseless stories, and unlawful corporate practices.
Other violations of SMNI, resolution said, are its deliberate dissemination of false information; transferring its controlling interest without prior approval of Congress and for not reporting to Congress within 60 days after transfer; and failure to comply with mandated 30 percent dispersal of ownership to public, among others.
Families of SMNI anchors Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz are asking Supreme Court (SC) to order their release from detention after being cited in contempt by House of Representatives.
Walter Pertosa, Badoy's husband, and Rogilda Canilao Celiz, wife of Celiz, represented by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, filed petition for certiorari and issuance of writ of habeas corpus before SC on Dec. 11.
Among respondents are House committee on legislative franchises and House Sergeant-of-Arms Napoleon Taas.
In their 34-page petition, they argued House committee on legislative franchise committed grave abuse of discretion in exercising their contempt powers, adding that detention of Badoy and Celiz "constitutes unlawful punishment for exercise of their right to freedom of expression and of press."
"Respondent Committee used its contempt powers in extraordinary and improper manner to punish petitioners for exercising their right to freedom of speech," petition read.
Contempt charges stemmed from Badoy's and Celiz's alleged disrespectful conduct and refusal to answer questions during Dec. 5 inquiry by House panel.
Panel chair and Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting said Celiz had identified to him source of the story when the congressman visited Celiz in his detention facility at House of Representatives.
"I asked if he was willing to divulge person to me, because they did not want to say it in executive session, and name was given…there's source," Tambunting said.
He said Celiz's source is man, and contrary to earlier reports, source is not from Senate.
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