ABS-CBN’s franchise issue has gained traction again following the House of Representatives’ probe of the SMNI network.
The House Committee on Legislative Franchises started its probe into the SMNI franchise on November 30, 2023.
The probe was triggered by the privilege speech of Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez on November 28, saying he was able to watch an SMNI program where hosts claimed that Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in just a year for his travels.
According to Legislative Franchises Committee chair Paranaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, the franchise granted to SMNI owner Swara Sug Media Corp. is being scrutinized for its alleged violation of Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11422, where “the grantee shall… conform to the ethics of honest enterprise; and not use its stations or facilities… for the dissemination of deliberately false information or willful misrepresentation, to the detriment of the public interest.”
The investigation has reignited discussions among netizens about ABS-CBN’s denied franchise renewal. Despite no proven violations found during congressional hearings, as testified by the resource person they’ve invited, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s opposition led to the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
In a tweet on December 5, journalist Rommel Lopez said, “We wouldn’t be wasting our time with these congressional hearings about SMNI’s franchise if Duterte did not use the same tactic, through his minions at the House, to deprive ABS-CBN of its franchise.”
We wouldn't be wasting out time with these congressional hearings about SMNI's franchise if Duterte did not use the same tactic, through his minions at the House, to deprive ABS-CBN of its franchise.
— Rommel Lopez (@RommelFLopez) December 5, 2023
Netizen AJ Sillo also shared his sentiments, tweeting “#YesToSMNIShutdown #IbalikAngABSCBN Broadcast free TV Channel 2 at DTT Channel 16 ang mga TV and radio stations.”
#YesToSMNIShutdown #IbalikAngABSCBN Broadcast free TV Channel 2 at DTT Channel 16 ang mga TV and radio stations.
— AJ Sillo (@AJSillo) December 3, 2023
Journalism professor Danilo Arao also tweeted, saying SMNI deserved to be chastised for its deliberate fake news peddling and vicious red-tagging.
“WORD: SMNI deserves to be publicly chastised for engaging in disinformation, especially red-tagging. Unlike the cases of Bulatlat, ABS-CBN and Rappler, SMNI’s predicament is not about press freedom (although the HOR’s power to grant broadcast franchise is patently unacceptable).”
WORD: SMNI deserves to be publicly chastised for engaging in disinformation, especially red-tagging. Unlike the cases of Bulatlat, ABS-CBN and Rappler, SMNI's predicament is not about press freedom (although the HOR's power to grant broadcast franchise is patently unacceptable).
— Danilo Arao (@dannyarao) November 30, 2023
Environmental advocate and former senatorial candidate David D’Angelo meanwhile said that he would rather have ABS-CBN back on air than SMNI to continue spreading toxicity.
“Seriously? To be honest the Philippines will be less toxic and better off without SMNI. I would rather have ABS-CBN back on air”
Seriously? To be honest the Philippines will be less toxic and better off without SMNI. I would rather have ABS-CBN back on air. pic.twitter.com/CM6DjaodcX
— 🌱 David D'Angelo 🌱 KALIKASAN MUNA NGAYON NA! (@daviddangeloph) December 1, 2023
@djakasss, on the other hand, directly asked for the return of the ABS-CBN franchise and the shutdown of SMNI.
“IBALIK ANG PRANGKISA NG ABS-CBN AT IPASARA ANG SMNI!#YesToSMNIShutdown”
IBALIK ANG PRANGKISA NG ABS-CBN AT IPASARA ANG SMNI!#YesToSMNIShutdown
— Pilosopo Tasyo (@djakasss) December 1, 2023
@hustlingming shared the same, tweeting, “Tanggalan ng prankisa SMNI. Ibalik nyo sa ABS-CBN yan. Kikita pa ang gobyerno sa tax kesa sa SMNI na bukod sa lugi gobyerno inaatake pa nila.”
Tanggalan ng prankisa SMNI. Ibalik nyo sa ABS-CBN yan. Kikita pa ang gobyerno sa tax kesa sa SMNI na bukod sa lugi gobyerno inaatake pa nila. https://t.co/eHj9nVPy0R
— Huseng Batute (@Hustlingmind) November 28, 2023
@mrunderrated30 meanwhile slammed Harry Roque for ironically appealing to defend SMNI when he’s the one who rejoiced during the denial of ABS-CBN franchise renewal.
“Hindi daw pagpatay sa malayang pamamahayag yung hindi pag renew sa franchise ng ABS-CBN. Tapos ngayon ngumangawa ka dahil sa SMNI. To be honest, di nyo makukuha yung support na nakuha ng ABS-CBN noon mula sa iba’t-ibang network at alam nyo kung bakit. #YesToSMNIShutdown”
Hindi daw pagpatay sa malayang pamamahayag yung hindi pag renew sa franchise ng ABS-CBN. Tapos ngayon ngumangawa ka dahil sa SMNI.
To be honest, di nyo makukuha yung support na nakuha ng ABS-CBN noon mula sa iba't-ibang network at alam nyo kung bakit. #YesToSMNIShutdown https://t.co/VsszPUziW6 pic.twitter.com/vpldtH4ZjC
— Mr. Underrated (@MrUnderrated30) December 1, 2023
@red_spots similarly slammed SMNI, tweeting, “Anong feeling SMNI? Di ba nung pinagkakaisahan ang ABS-CBN, masaya kayo?”
Anong feeling SMNI? Di ba nung pinagkakaisahan ang ABS-CBN, masaya kayo?
— Red Santiago (@red_spots) December 5, 2023
Meanwhile, on December 11, after several hearings, the Legislative Franchises Committee approved House Resolution 1499, urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend SMNI’s operations.
Throughout its hearings, the committee found that SMNI violated Section 4 of RA 11422, concerning the intentional spread of false information,
The committee also cited additional breaches in Sections 10, 11, and 12, particularly regarding ownership matters not reported to Congress for approval.
