Members of the House of Representatives open the 2nd regular session of the 19th Congress on July 24, 2023.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

The House of Representatives ordered Wednesday night the immediate transmittal to the Senate of both the resolution on economic constitutional reform and the bill revoking the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

The directive was issued shortly after the legislative chamber approved the two measures, designated as Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 and House Bill (HB) No. 9710, on third and final reading.

House approves proposed changes to 1987 charter

House of Representatives revokes SMNI franchise

RBH No. 7, which mirrors RBH No. 6 being deliberated in the Senate, seeks to amend specific economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution concerning public utilities, education and advertising by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to give more flexibility regarding foreign ownership and participation in certain investments.

The House voted 288-8-2 to approve the resolution on 3rd and final reading. The House is invoking Article 17 Section 1 of the Constitution which allows it to propose amendments to the electorate by a 3/4 vote of all members. 

Ako Bicol Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon welcomed  a statement attributed to Comelec Chairman George Garcia expressing their readiness to study the next step in case RBH7 is sent to them.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who co-authored RBH No. 7 with several other House leaders and members, said the proposed economic constitutional amendments represent the final component of the investment measures pursued by the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr

Meanwhile, HB No. 9710 effectively repeals Republic Act 11422, which extended the franchise granted to Suara Sug under RA 8122 for an additional 25 years in August 2019. The renewed franchise was originally scheduled to expire in 2044.

The revocation of SMNI’s franchise was prompted by a series of violations, including spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging and committing serious corporate offenses.

"Tinutupad lamang po natin ang mandatong ini-atang sa atin ng Konstitusyon at ng taumbayan. Walang personalan dito. Trabaho lang," Speaker Martin Romualdez said of their decision.

The House started investigating allegations made by SMNI hosts on the "Laban Kasama ng Bayan" program, claiming that Speaker Romualdez spent P1.8 billion on travel within a year.

A House press statement also explained that SMNI openly admitted to transitioning from a non-stock, non-profit corporation to a sole corporation under Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in 2006.

The same statement said that in 2023, the controlling stake was transferred to Bro. Marlon Acobo, with both transactions taking place without obtaining congressional approval as required by the franchise. 

"Failure to report such changes of ownership, as mandated by Section 10, automatically triggers the revocation of the franchise," the House said. 

Even the Makabayan bloc voted for the revocation. 

"Mahalaga ang panukalang ito para matigil ang SMNI na isa sa mga makinarya ni Quiboloy at ni Duterte sa pagpapakalat ng disimspormasyon at red-tagging laban sa mga progresibong indibidwal," Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said in her explanation.

(This is important to stop SMNI from spreading disinformation and red tagging under Apollo Quboloy and former President Rodrogo Duterte.) 

"Ang SMNI ay hindi isang media at hindi dapat ihalintulad sa mga tunay na media," House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said.