SMNI anchors, reporters file petition vs. NTC suspension

Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) reporters and anchors on Tuesday filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) against the recent cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

In a 48-page petition, the reporters asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order and a writ of preliminary injunction to enjoin the NTC from taking any action in connection to its December 2023 order and January 2024 suspension orders while the petition is pending before the SC.

They also asked the SC to issue a writ of certiorari declaring that the NTC committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in issuing the assailed orders, among others, and a writ of prohibition.

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is also among the petitioners.

“[U]nang una, [ito] ay labag sa karapatan ng malayang pananalita at malayang pamamahayag. Pangalawa, dahil walang karapatan ang NTC na mag revoke ng prangkisa,” Roque said in an ambush interview.

(First of all, this is against freedom of speech and journalistic freedom. Secondly, NTC has no right to revoke the license.)

Roque, meanwhile, stressed that they were not filing the petition on behalf of SMNI.

“Kada minuto na sinusupil ang kalayaan ng pananalita at pamamahayag ay paglabag ng karapatang pang tao. So naniniwala po kami na yung nakabinbin ngayon sa National Telecommunications Commission, iba po ang standing ng SMNI mismo doon sa karapatan ng mga mamamahayag, lalong lalo na,” he said.

(Every minute, it erodes freedom of expression and human rights. That's what we believe. SMNI has a different stand, especially on jounalists' rights.)

LOOK: SMNI anchors and reporters file a petition against the recent cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/K04Hn9l2yc

— Joahna Lei Casilao (@joahnacasilao) January 30, 2024

For his part, SMNI anchor Jade Calabroso said that the network’s supporters are hoping that their operations will continue.

“Kami po ay patuloy na nanawagan na sana po ay mabigyan po kami, na mabigyan kami ng Supreme Court ng pahintulot naman na bumalik yung operasyon namin sa aming network,” he said.

(We continue to call on the Supreme Court to allow us to resume our network operations.)

Meanwhile, reporter Jason Rubrico said they are filing the petition to fight for their rights.

“Kami po ay may dedicated coverage kay Pangulong Marcos during the election — kung sa amin nga po ay nangyari ito na sumusuporta sa gobyerno, paano na lang po sa inyo, mga alternative media, ano na lang po ang mangyayari sa inyo, sa mga hindi sumuporta sa gobyerno, sa mga hindi sumusuporta sa pangulo,” he said.

(We had a dedicated coverage for President Marcos during the election. If this can happen to us, what more for the alternative media? What will happen to them? To those who do not support the government and the President?)

Just recently, the NTC ordered SMNI to “cease and desist from operating its radio and television stations pending hearing and final consideration of the administrative case (Adm. CN 2023-052) pending before the Commission.”

It noted that despite its December 19, 2023 order compelling SMNI to suspend its operations for 30 days, it still “received reports showing that Respondent did not strictly comply with the suspension aspect thereof and was still operating in certain areas in Region VI by as late as 27 December 2023.”

The NTC’s December order came after it received a copy of a resolution from the House of Representatives citing three violations allegedly made by SMNI — deliberately disseminating false information, the transfer of shares without prior Congressional approval, and failure to offer at least 30% of its outstanding stock.

In January, SMNI filed a motion for Bill of Particulars where they asked the NTC to specify and detail the violations of its Certificate of Public Convenience and to attach the documentary evidence. –VAL, GMA Integrated News