‘FAKE NEWS’ | SMNI to face House panel over claims on Romualdez’s travel spending

November 29, 2023 , 01:13 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(November 29, 2023) – The Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) earned the ire of lawmakers after its anchors claimed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez incurred P1.8 billion in travel expenses, subjecting the media company to an inquiry in the House of Representatives.

In a privilege speech, Quezon Rep. David Suarez castigated SMNI for issuing what he described as unfounded allegations against Romualdez, asking the media network if it even tried to assess the veracity of such claims. Suarez added that the situation is a smear campaign against Romualdez.

“We are all public officials and we are all open to criticisms and public opinions and unfortunately, open to fake news. At ito pong ipinalabas ng SMNI, isa pong fake news. Hindi po ito totoo,” said Suarez.

Suarez, who’s also a deputy majority leader, said the panel on legislative franchises must take the lead in looking into the matter to ensure “transparency and accountability.”

The allegations in question were brought up in the Laban Kasama Ang Bayan program of SMNI.

SMNI is owned by self-styled pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who’s wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States over charges of sexual trafficking and bulk cash smuggling, among others. He is the founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

“We live in an environment of fake news. All of us are victims of fake news and if we don’t stand up, rise, and be heard, how would they know what the truth is?” asked Suarez.

In a separate statement, House of Representatives secretary general Reginald Velasco also denied the claims regarding Romualdez’s travel spending, demanding an immediate retraction and an apology from SMNI.

“We categorically deny these false allegations and condemn in the strongest sense the propagation of such irresponsible and damaging news. This is a deliberate attack on the integrity of the House and a sad reflection of the lengths some individuals will go to undermine our democratic institutions,” said Velasco.

It was also in SMNI, a Davao-based media company, where former President Rodrigo Duterte branded the lower chamber as the “most rotten institution” after it removed the request for confidential funds of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, for the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

Quiboloy is the spiritual adviser and close ally of Duterte. He also supported the candidacies of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio.

A resolution was passed by lawmakers to defend the House of Representatives from the attacks it faced, including the remarks of Duterte.

During Duterte’s presidency, SMNI was heavily criticized not only for spreading fake news but also for red-tagging.

Last year, the Movement Against Disinformation called out SMNI for “abusing” its franchise due to red-tagging and personal attacks.

Last May, the Commission on Human Rights called out SMNI for branding journalists as allied with armed communist rebels. Journalist Atom Araullo filed a civil suit against SMNI hosts worth P2 million.

(PM)

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