SURIGAO del Sur Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel has accused Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) of being an alleged “serial harasser” and an “irresponsible network,” as lawmakers delved deeper into its supposed franchise violations related to dissemination of fake news and red-tagging.

At the continuation of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing, Pimentel raised alarms over SMNI’s alleged trend of harassing individuals and entities by spreading alleged false information.

He drew attention to the possible infringement of SMNI’s congressional franchise under Republic Act (RA) 11422, specifically referencing Section 4 on responsibilities to the public, which could serve as grounds for revoking the network’s franchise.

“It seems that SMNI has a pattern of harassing individuals and entities using false information. I sincerely believe that SMNI is being used as a tool to spread false information with regard to attacking, maligning, destroying the reputation of certain individuals and entities,” Pimentel alleged.

Pimentel cited several cases faced by SMNI, not only in the courts but also in organizations like the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, the Movie Television Review and Classification Board, and the National Telecommunications Commission.

He underscored significant cases, such as lawsuits filed against SMNI by the families of missing University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, and a case involving broadcaster Atom Araullo, whom the network accused of having ties to communist groups.

One key point of discussion involved accusations made by SMNI anchor Lorraine Badoy against former Vice President Leni Robredo.

Pimentel questioned whether there was substantial evidence supporting the claim of an alliance between Robredo and communist groups.

Badoy clarified that the statement was part of her official duty as strategic communications cluster head of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC.

The committee requested Badoy to submit supporting documents from the NTF-ELCAC to verify the government’s stand on the matter.

Pimentel also noted SMNI’s alleged violation of the 2007 Broadcaster Code of the Philippines, specifically regarding the credibility of news sources and reports.

As the hearing unfolded, Pimentel underscored the need to establish the alleged pattern of spreading false information by SMNI.

He cited instances where SMNI aired interviews containing controversial claims, and he urged the submission of relevant documents to validate the government’s position.

The hearing also touched on the accusation that SMNI violated the broadcaster code, with Pimentel highlighting the earlier debunked claim that Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez allegedly spent P1.8 billion on travels this year.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco earlier disclosed that from January to October this year, the Office of the Speaker, House members, and the Secretariat collectively accrued P39,605,123 in travel expenses.

Velasco clarified that out of this total, the Office of the Speaker disbursed only P4,347,712, a significant contrast to the unfounded P1.8 billion claimed by SMNI anchor Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz.

While acknowledging that a comprehensive investigation is yet to be conducted, Pimentel asserted that preliminary observations indicate potential breaches of Section 4 of RA 11422, which states, among others, that the grantee “shall not use stations or facilities” for the “dissemination of deliberately false information or willful misrepresentation to the detriment of the public interest.”

“Makikita talaga natin SMNI is not a responsible network,” Pimentel remarked.

The lawmaker drew a sharp contrast with other TV stations or networks holding franchises, highlighting their commitment to entertaining and informing the Filipino people.

He emphasized their crucial role in disseminating vital information during calamities or through news articles for the betterment and improvement of the Filipino people.

“In this case, makikita talaga natin SMNI is not doing that, but rather SMNI is being used as a platform to malign, to destroy, sisiraan ang isang tao, isang entity, which is a clear violation of Section 4 responsibility to the public,” Pimentel said.

Expressing hope that the committee recognizes the alleged infractions of SMNI, Pimentel emphasized the committee’s authority to approve, amend, revoke, or repeal the franchise of any holder not in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 11422.

“I hope na nakikita po ng committee itong mga kasalanan ng SMNI, itong mga infractions nila. It is within our power to approve, to amend or to revoke or to repeal any franchise holder na nakikita natin who is not in compliance with the provisions in their franchise,” he stressed.