House Moves to Revoke SMNI’s Franchise Amid Alleged Violations

MANILA — The House of Representatives has made significant progress toward revoking the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, the parent company of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), after allegations of multiple franchise violations.

According to Philippines News Agency, House Bill 9710, aimed at repealing Republic Act No. 11422—which granted Swara Sug a 25-year franchise—passed the second reading through a viva voce vote. The bill’s author, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, cited several infractions that warranted this legislative action.

Gutierrez pointed out that SMNI failed to adhere to Section 4 of its franchise, which mandates the responsibility to provide accurate and balanced reporting. The network is also accused of breaching Section 7, related to self-regulation standards, due to its alleged involvement in red-tagging and spreading misinformation.

The representative emphasized the gravity of these actions, highlighting the potential they have to skew public perception and instigate societal and political rifts. Consequently, Gutierrez argued that SMNI’s operations pose a risk to national security and stability, leveraging its platform to circulate unsubstantiated and misleading information.

Further allegations of non-compliance with Section 10, which covers the sale, lease, and transfer of franchise ownership, and Section 11, addressing ownership dispersal, were also presented as grounds for revocation. These sections include automatic provisions for revocation in cases of violation, reinforcing the call for immediate action against the network.

The bill’s advancement reflects the legislative body’s responsiveness to concerns about media integrity and the broader implications of allowing a network accused of such violations to continue its operations unchecked.