DURING the House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing, leftist congressmen repeatedly insisted on banning SMNI programs on all social media platforms.
This comes even after the network was indefinitely suspended on free radio and TV due to the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC’s support for the House’s call against the station.
The response from the NTC and MTRCB,
“So, if that’s the case, your honor, should the MTRCB decide to endorse that suspension order to the NTC for suspension on other platforms, perhaps the NTC can consider that, Mr. Chair,” said Deputy Commissioner Alvin Blanco, National Telecommunications Commission.
“If the MTRCB decides to suspend or cancel the program in all kinds of media platforms and says the decision is final and executory, we can endorse it to the NTC,” Atty. Anna Mindalano, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board stated.
However, the NTC admits that its regulatory powers do not cover social media platforms.
The MTRCB, on the other hand, is currently amending its charter to include on-demand social media platforms in its regulatory functions.
But, a law is needed to amend the MTRCB Charter.
The program Laban Kasama ang Bayan is the top target of leftist protests.
It is the flagship program on Philippine Television against the communist terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte previously named ACT-Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel as legal fronts of the terrorist group Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army, National Democratic Front, or CPP-NPA-NDF.
SMNI lawyers criticized what they called undue pressure on the network because even its social media platforms are targeted for banning.
SMNI lawyers criticize pressure on NTC, MTRCB for proposed social ban on network
“All attempts to silence SMNI, everything here is being explored, it’s been removed, it’s been silenced because of the NTC’s order to silence SMNI indefinitely, and of course, online platforms aren’t included there, yet they are still being pursued. So, I don’t know, my question is, who is afraid of SMNI?” according to Atty. Rolex Suplico, Legal Counsel, SMNI.
“Congress, the investigation here is only in aid of legislation, they are not prosecutors, they are not the Court, they are not a trial to gather other evidence, they are just investigating, based on whether they will make laws, but assuming they will make laws, that law needs to ensure that the due process clause is not violated,” Atty. Mark Tolentino, Legal Counsel, SMNI.
