In a House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing on Monday, December 11, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles meticulously outlined a series of potential violations committed by the controversial television network SMNI, urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend the network’s operations.

Nograles, whose House Resolution (HR) No. 1499 was recently adopted by the committee, expressed concern over what she described as “nagkakalokohan” or shenanigans within SMNI, pointing to various fraudulent aspects.

She emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Sino pa ba ang next nating makikitang manloloko?” (Who will we see as the next deceitful person?)

The scrutiny on SMNI intensified after one of its program hosts falsely claimed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez had spent P1.8 billion on travel alone. This misinformation prompted the investigation into the network’s practices and potential violations.

Nograles identified at least 14 possible violations, including the alleged failure to prove the two-thirds membership vote of SMNI’s major stockholder, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), during its transition to a corporation sole. Despite claims of a meeting in 2006, lawyers representing SMNI failed to provide evidence of the vote during the committee hearing.

Expressing concern, Nograles stated, “I’m really hoping SMNI would be able to submit such documents or proof because if not, to the SEC, this is grounds for cancellation because of fraud.”

The lawmaker further accused SMNI of violating Republic Act (RA) No. 11422, which renewed the network’s franchise for another 25 years in 2019. Alleged violations include disseminating false information, transferring controlling interest without congressional approval, and failing to report the transfer within the mandated 60 days.

Additionally, Nograles cited violations of the 1987 Constitution, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Broadcast Code, and House of Representatives’ rules.

“I hope you will suspend the network’s operations first while we look at all these violations that are happening,” Nograles urged the NTC.

This move comes after Nograles initially presented HR No. 1499 during a plenary session on Monday, December 4, calling for the suspension of SMNI’s operations due to its failure to fulfill responsibilities to the public by airing false information about Speaker Martin Romualdez’s alleged travel expenses.

As the Committee on Legislative Franchises deliberates on the alleged violations, Nograles emphasizes the NTC’s duty to immediately halt the deliberate dissemination of false information that may erode public trust.

During a previous hearing on November 30, NTC Deputy Commissioner Alvin Blanco acknowledged “infractions” on SMNI’s part, particularly regarding the responsibility not to disseminate false information, as outlined in Republic Act No. 11422.

The legislative franchises committee, chaired by Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting, holds the responsibility for approving or rejecting franchise applications in the House.