MTRCB junks SMNI’s appeal for 2 suspended programs

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Friday announced that  it has dismissed the appeal of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) on the suspension of two of its programs.

SMNI had filed a motion asking the MTRCB to lift the suspension over “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” and “Laban Kasama ang Bayan,” arguing that it violates freedom of speech, freedom of expression of the press, and due process of law.

“After a meticulous scrutiny of the matters raised in the respective motions, however, the MTRCB concluded that they merely reiterated points already raised in the position papers submitted earlier,” MTRCB said in a statement.

“As such, the MTRCB has decided to deny both MRs (Motion for Reconsideration),” it added.

Sought for comment, SMNI legal counsel Mark Tolentino said they expected the dismissal of their motion for reconsideration.

“Expected na yun ang pag basura ng MTRCB sa MR namin, we just exhaust all administrative remedies,” Tolentino told GMA News Online.

Tolentino also said that they will file a petition for review before the Office of the President next. 

“This time, we will know the stand of PBBM (regarding the) SMNI Issue, the media station that supported him last election,” he said.

Lawyer Rolex Suplico, another legal counsel, meanwhile said he was surprised with the dismissal.

“I am just surprised that the MTRCB decided against SMNI when the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has already dismissed the criminal complaint filed by Rep. Castro against President Duterte,” he said in a separate message.

Duterte’s remarks against Castro were made during his interview on SMNI.

“The MTRCB should have followed the lead of the QC Prosecutor,” he added.

Multiple complaints

According to the MTRCB, its initial decision to suspend the programs stemmed from multiple complaints regarding the alleged use of death threats and profane language by a host in Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.

It then issued a warning against the network after the initial complaint was dismissed.

However, it said that it received more complaints a month later against the show.

This led to its 14-day suspension of the programs in December 2023, which the MTRCB said is in alignment with the prior warning it issued.

On January 3, the MTRCB issued a decision that found that SMNI violated Presidential Decree 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation, imposing a penalty suspension of 28 days, including the initial 14 days.

“MTRCB’s mandate is to protect viewers from inappropriate content, more so on Television where viewers of all ages have unadulterated access. Grounded in the principles of due process and fairness, our resolve to enforce accountability in media content regulation is resolute,” MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto said.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the National Telecommunications Commission ordered Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates SMNI, to stop its operations pending a final decision on its ongoing administrative case. —VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News