SMNI to stop operations as NTC orders indefinite suspension

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) to cease operations of its radio and television stations.

The order, issued on Jan. 18 and made public on Jan. 23, comes after SMNI failed to comply with the 30-day suspension order from the NTC on Dec. 19, 2023.

A six-page order obtained by the Philippine STAR directed Swara Sug Media Corporation, the business name of the network, to explain its non-compliance.

“Respondent is hereby ordered to submit, within a period of 15 days from receipt hereof, its written explanation as to why it failed to strictly follow the 30-day suspension order,” the order read.

SMNI lawyers Rolex Suplico and Mark Tolentino told THE STAR that the Apolo Quiboloy-owned network would comply with the cease-and-desist order and that it would continue to operate through social media.

The network was slapped with suspensions in December 2023 over violations of its franchise under Republic Act No. 11422 in response to House Resolution 189. SMNI Hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz made unverified claims on their show that House Speaker Martin Romualdez spent P1.8 billion on foreign travel.

In December, 1Rider Party List rep. Ramon Rodrigo Rodriguez filed a resolution seeking to revoke the franchise of the network due to violations including changing its corporate structure without Congress approval, failure to disperse 30% of its ownership to the public, and failure to deliver truthful and balanced reporting.

This article SMNI to stop operations as NTC orders indefinite suspension was originally published in PhilSTAR L!fe