Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) anchors and reporters on Tuesday, January 30, filed a petition before the Supreme Court in relation to the indefinite suspension imposed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
In an interview with the media, SMNI host Harry Roque reminded House Speaker Martin Romualdez and his fellow congressmen that they are not powerful enough to move for SMNI's suspension.
"Mr. Speaker at mga kasama niyong congressman, alam ko na sa tingin ninyo na kayo ang pinaka-makapangyarihan sa bayang ito lalong-lalo na ikaw ay pinsan ng presidente. Bagama't naisara ninyo ang aming istasyon, bagama't naapi niyo kami panandalian, hindi kayo ang pinaka-maatas na batas sa bayan na ito. Ang tawag sa pinaka-mataas na batas ay Saligang Batas," he said.
SMNI nagpasaklolo na sa Korte Suprema ang ipinataw na indefinite suspension laban sa kanila ng National Telecommunications Commission | RH 29 @boy_gonzales #OperationTulong#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) January 30, 2024
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Roque also underscored that their freedom of expression and press freedom was granted by the Philippine 1987 Constitution.
"Hindi namin ito utang sa inyo. Hindi kayo ang nagbigay ng karapatan na ito. Ang nagbigay ng malayang pamamahayag at malayang pamamahayag ay sambayanang Pilipino noong binigyan ng ratipikasyon ang Saligang Batas," he added.
The former presidential spokesperson said he look forward to seeing the House Speaker in court.
Earlier this month, the NTC ordered SMNI to stop its operation indefinitely.
In December, the commission first suspended the SMNI for 30 days due to its alleged violation of the terms and conditions of its legislative franchise.
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board also suspended two SMNI programs — "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" and “Laban Kasama ang Bayan" — in the same month.
