Makabayan bloc wants Quiboloy probed over alleged SMNI violations

The Makabayan bloc urged a House panel to investigate pastor Apollo Quiboloy over the alleged franchise violations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) including spreading false information.

“Porke sinabi na meron na raw iba na nagmamay-ari, etc. Hindi pa natin nauungkat kung ano talaga ang role ni Quiboloy diyan sa SMNI,” said Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas in Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report on “24 Oras."

(Should we not include him just because they told us that Quiboloy is not the owner of SMNI? We still don’t know his role in the company.)

Brosas also said Quiboloy must be extradited due to the cases he is facing in the US. 

“Conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, then sex trafficking of children and bulk cash smuggling. The government must immediately extradite Quiboloy,” she added. 

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises conducted a legislative inquiry on the alleged violations of SMNI. 

The panel also cited in contempt two SMNI hosts, Lorraine Badoy and Eric Celiz, who are currently on hunger strike. 

Celiz was cited in contempt during the committee hearing on SMNI's media franchise for refusing to reveal his source who provided information that Speaker Martin Romualdez has a P1.8-billion travel fund. Badoy was similarly cited in contempt for allegedly acting disrespectfully and refusing to tell the truth to the panel.

Lawyer Mark Tolentino, legal officer of SMNI, said Quiboloy is “irrelevant” to the issue and involving him in the legislative inquiry would violate the House rules. 

“Irrelevant yon. That is a violation sa rules ng House and that is unconstitutional. Hindi siya owner. Hindi naman si pastor Quiboloy ang nakialam sa operations ng SMNI,” he added. 

(That’s irrelevant. That is a violation of House rules and that is unconstitutional. He’s not the owner. He’s not involved in our operations.)

The SMNI has submitted a response to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board probe on the network’s airing of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged threats to Act-Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro. 

‘Nangyari ulit noong November 16. May repetitions na ganito. Ano ba talaga ang nasa guidelines? Ito ba ay may mga calibrated na penalty  hanggang suspension etc.,” said Castro.

(He repeated the threats on November 16. What are the guidelines for this? Does this entail penalties such as suspension?) —Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News