THE powerful House Committee on Legislative Franchises is now reviewing the franchise of SMNI.
The issue arose from a question by an SMNI TV host about the alleged P1.8 Billion travel expenses of the Office of the Speaker on foreign travel.
During the hearing, it was clarified that Speaker Martin Romualdez‘s office spent only over P4 million from January to October this year.
“Now, I want to know, I said open the books! That’s what I want to see— how much you’ve received from the government through the Speaker that was given to you. We want to see it,” according to Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Former Philippine President.
These were the criticisms and dares made by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on his program Gikan sa Para Para sa Masa on SMNI.
For Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, the calls for transparency in how government funds are used, is seen as the trigger for the Congressional investigation into SMNI’s Franchise.
“They are removing potential rivals, all potential rivals, all potential sources of support for the opponent. So practically, he’s the only candidate. This early,” Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, National Chairman, Citizens Crime Watch.
Topacio also sees the investigation into the network’s franchise as politically motivated, especially as he sees Speaker Romualdez running for president in 2028.
“They’re planning it. That’s it. It’s obvious. It’s not rocket science, as the kids say. It’s obvious. The purpose is obvious. So, we cannot allow that. He can run, no problem. He’s welcome to try his luck in the Presidential Derby in 2028. But not in this way,” Topacio added.
Topacio also recalled former President Duterte saying that he would campaign for Romualdez if he decided to run for president, Duterte has also advised his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, not to run for the presidential race.
“Fellow Filipinos, if Romualdez wants to run for president, vote for him, vote for him, let’s experiment. I’ll tell you, vote for him. You, Romualdez, don’t worry, I’ll campaign for you, now,” Topacio said.
But, Topacio questioned as to what will happen to the country’s media industry if House Speaker Romualdez becomes the next President.
He also questioned the investigation based on inquiries about how the House uses government funds.
“If he’s already showing what kind of person he is now, even this early, that even his mentors, those who helped him, those who sacrificed for him, like SMNI. That SMNI versus almost all mainstream media, can criticize them. They can criticize GMA,” Topacio stated.
Atty. Topacio and his group is calling for support from other media entities to stand against suppression, similar to what is currently happening to SMNI.
“I think we should all unite, this is not about SMNI anymore, it’s not Ka Jeffrey Celiz. It’s about all of us in Media,” Topacio said.
In 2019, the government granted SMNI a 25-year franchise to operate.
The network remains committed to assisting the government in nation-building.
In 2023, SMNI still has 21 years to operate in service to God and the nation.
