The tables have turned on Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), a pro-Duterte and allegedly pro-China media outlet, as its officers and anchors face accusations of willfully disseminating false information, leading to a congressional probe into potential violations of its franchise.

During a legislative hearing on Thursday, Jeffrey ‘Ka Eric’ Celiz, host of SMNI’s Laban Kasama ang Bayan, claimed that his source, who works in the Senate, disclosed House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s alleged travel spending.

Celiz, an ex-rebel and former member of the CPP-NPA, citing Republic Act No. 53, refused to divulge specific details about the source but mentioned an alarming figure of P1.8 billion in travel expenses for Romualdez this year alone.

Lawmakers dismissed Celiz’s allegations as “fake news,” prompting the House of Representatives’ panel on legislative franchises to summon SMNI. Celiz admitted to a failure in vetting the source and information, acknowledging the importance of due diligence.

Quezon Rep. David Suarez, refuting Celiz’s claims in a privilege speech, raised concerns about the impact on inter-parliamentary relationships with the Senate, as Celiz accused a Senate employee of being the source. Suarez suggested sending a copy of the transcript to the Senate for their consideration.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco presented records showing that Romualdez and others incurred a total of P39.60 million in travel expenses from January to October, with Romualdez’s spending at P4.34 million.

SMNI has faced criticism from progressive groups for spreading disinformation, red-tagging, and attacking government critics, potentially violating its franchise.

During Thursday’s probe, SMNI’s legal counsel, Mark Tolentino, claimed that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a close ally of former President Duterte, is only a block-timer and not an owner or stockholder in the network. Quiboloy faces serious charges in the United States.

Tolentino insisted on SMNI’s good faith and emphasized an ongoing internal probe, while also stating that no official statement was made by SMNI.

In response, the House leadership refuted Celiz’s claim, emphasizing that Romualdez’s travel expenses were far less than the alleged P1.8 billion.

Lawmakers raised concerns about SMNI’s responsibility, reminding them of the need for proper validation before disseminating information to the public.

The legal counsel for SMNI invoked freedom of the press and expression, but lawmakers countered that such freedoms are not absolute, especially when it comes to legislative franchises granted by Congress.