A brewing confrontation between Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), owned by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a prominent ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and the House Speaker Martin Romualdez-led congress has taken a combative turn.

SMNI, known for alleged propaganda and fake news dissemination, is under scrutiny and at risk of being shut down, prompting a stern response from Quiboloy, who insinuated that the investigation is driven by evil motives.

Quezon Representative David Suarez ignited the controversy on Tuesday, November 28, by calling for a congressional review of SMNI’s franchise, particularly focusing on the network’s claim that Speaker Romualdez spent a staggering P1.8 billion on travel in a single year.

“Name your source because I have a document in my possession that says how much the House and the Speaker actually spent on their travel. What you are saying is P1.8 billion, so I want to know where it came from,” challenged Suarez, questioning the credibility of the figure.

In response, Quiboloy, during his program ‘Spotlight,’ issued a strong warning against attempts to muzzle SMNI, asserting that such actions are “evil.”

“Do not threaten us that you will remove SMNI. When you do that, you really are evil because you refuse to listen to what is right,” declared Quiboloy, painting the investigation as an assault on truth and an attempt to silence a dissenting voice in the country.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises, chaired by Representative Gus Tambunting, is set to investigate SMNI’s alleged spreading of false information today, November 30.

Quiboloy’s tough stance indicates a perception of persecution, with the influential pastor suggesting that those behind the investigation should be grateful for a media entity unafraid to speak truth to power.

Quiboloy, a close friend of Duterte, accused the Congress of being unjust and questioned their intentions.

“You should be thankful that in this country, there is someone who is not afraid to speak the truth just to guide our country,” he asserted, positioning SMNI as an opposition media in the face of what he considers an oppressive Congress.