Suarez

‘MOUTHPIECE’

December 21, 2023 People's Journal 290 views

CONCERNS have been raised about the potential use of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy and Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) for pro-China propaganda in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Quiboloy, a close associate of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is recognized for his strong sympathy towards China and allowing SMNI to justify Chinese aggression in waters within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

During the December 11 hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, lawmakers expressed serious concerns regarding the reported collaboration between SMNI and China Global Television Network (CGTN).

“CGTN, Mr. Chair, dear colleagues, is the China Global Television Network, which is one of the three branches of the state-run China Media Group,” Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco pointed out.

Tiangco highlighted the fact that CGTN is owned by the Chinese government, raising worries about the potential consequences of such collaboration, particularly in the context of China’s narrative on the WPS.

“If the franchise holder may cooperate or collab with the Chinese government state-owned media network, alam naman natin ang nilalabas [na mga impormasyon] ng China ngayon lalo sa West Philippine Sea ay puro kasinungalingan,” said Tiangco.

The House franchise panel, chaired by Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, has been investigating the alleged violations of the congressional franchise granted to Swara Sug Media Corporation, operating as SMNI, in August 2019 under Republic Act (RA) 11422, renewing its license for an additional 25 years.

SMNI faces the risk of franchise revocation due to multiple violations of provisions outlined in RA 11422, notably Section 4, which underscores the network’s responsibility to the public. This comes after the network was found disseminating fake news and engaging in red-tagging.

SMNI legal counsel Mark Tolentino clarified that the agreement with CGTN is still in the negotiation phase, with no final written agreement as of yet. He also assured that any final agreement would adhere to Philippine laws.

At this juncture, Quezon Rep. David “Jay-Jay” Suarez noted the tendency of China to distort the narrative on WPS, citing a Chinese news outlet’s portrayal suggesting that Filipinos have been aggressive in the WPS.

According to Suarez, there is an apparent distortion of the narrative, presenting a different story to their audience compared to the actual events involving Filipino actions.

“Binaliktad nila ang kwento, iba ang kwento sa kanila doon sa tunay na nangyari sa mga Pilipino,” Suarez lamented.

He added: “Kaya ito medyo may pangamba din para sa akin dahil alam naman natin there are always two versions to the story. But as Filipinos we always have to support that which the Philippine government holds.”

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