NTC orders halt of SMNI operations anew for defying 30-day suspension

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has again ordered Swara Sug Media Corporation, also known as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) to stop its operations after it defied an earlier suspension imposed by authorities for alleged violations of its franchise.

In a statement, the NTC said the order dated Jan. 18 states that despite SMNI’s receipt of the 30-day suspension order on Dec. 21, the agency “has received reports showing that Respondent did not strictly comply with the suspension aspect and was still operating in certain areas in Region IV by as late as 27 December 2023.”

The commission also pointed out that SMNI has yet to submit its response to the 30-day suspension order despite being given an extension until Jan. 15. Instead, the company filed a motion for a bill of particulars on Jan. 11, which the NTC denied on the 16th.

SMNI was told to cease and desist operating its radio and television stations pending hearing and final consideration of its administrative case with the NTC. It was also given 15 days to submit an explanation why it failed to comply with the December suspension order.

Asked about the latest order, SMNI lawyer Mark Tolentino told CNN Philippines their camp received the order Monday afternoon.

“'Di kami nakapaniwala sa order na 'yun kasi walang legal basis 'yun," he said. "We will study all possible legal remedies, including filing a motion for reconsideration."

[Translation: We cannot believe that order because it has no legal basis.]

Last month, the NTC suspended the broadcast operations of SMNI for a month in response to a House resolution. This urged the commission to act on the company’s involvement in red-tagging and airing of false information that Speaker Martin Romualdez used ₱1.8 billion for his travels in 2023.