MANILA -- The House of Representatives has revoked the broadcast franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). 

Voting 284-4-4 , the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 9710 to revoke the legislative franchise granted to Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates SMNI. The network has been linked to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 

If approved by the Senate with no veto by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, the bill will repeal Republic Act (RA) No. 11422, which extended the franchise granted to Swara Sug under RA 8122 for an additional 25 years starting  August 2019 until 2044.

The revocation came after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises found violations of the franchise, including spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and committing significant 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.

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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. 

"Hindi dapat ihanay ang SMNI sa iba pang media tulad ng ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5, Bulatlat, Atlermidya at iba pa. Para itong isang insulto sa marangal na propesyon ng mga tunay na midya at media practitioners." 

(SMNI is not media and should not be considered as such. It should not be treated like ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5, Bulatlat, Atlermidya. That would be an insult to legitimate media.) 

"Hindi rin dapat magkubli sa konsepto sa press freedom ang SMNI inabuso nito ang prangkisang ginawad sa kanila noon," Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel said.

(SMNI cannot invoke press freedom. They abused their franchise.) 

Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado also voted for the bill.