News Roundup 21 December 2023
Dec 21, 2023 • 4 min Read
NTC suspends SMNI operations for 30 days | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:42 p.m.) — The National Telecommunications Commission has suspended the operations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) for 30 days for alleged violations of its franchise terms.
According to a release, the NTC issued a suspension on all radio and television stations operated by SMNI on December 19 — the same day that the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board slapped a two-week preventive suspension on two SMNI programs.
Along with the suspension, NTC has also issued a show-cause order against Swara Sug Media Corporation — the firm that owns SMNI — and demanded an explanation in writing within 15 days upon receipt as to why it should not be administratively sanctioned.
The NTC’s decision was made with “due deference” to the House of Representatives, which recently adopted a resolution calling on the NTC to suspend the network over the alleged violation of at least three specific provisions of its legislative franchise.
“In ordering the 30-day suspension of Swara Sug’s operations of its radio and television stations pursuant to Section 16 (n) of the Public Service Act, as amended, the NTC took cognizance of the House of Representatives’ declaration in Resolution No. 189,” the NTC release stated.
The NTC also noted that it participated in the three hearings held by the House legislative franchise panel that led to the resolution urging the suspension of SMNI’s franchise.
The law granting SMNI a 25-year franchise, Republic Act 11422, was signed August 2019.
Full Story at: NTC suspends SMNI operations for 30 days | Philstar.com
Ex-cop witness retracts testimony vs De Lima | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Another witness against former Sen. Leila De Lima in her last remaining drug case expressed his intention to withdraw his testimonies against the former senator, De Lima’s lawyer Boni Tacardon said.
In his letter dated December 18, retired police brigadier general Jerry Valeroso said that he wanted to withdraw his testimonies against the former senator to “set free” those “wrongfully charged” in the court.
“I planned to recant in early 2019 However, due to fearing for my life and the safety of my family and loved one, I lost the guts to do so,” Valeroso said in his letter.
This makes the former cop the 13th witness against De Lima to recant testimonies against the former senator and staunch drug war critic.
Valeroso addressed the letter to Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206.
Full Story at: Ex-cop witness retracts testimony vs De Lima | Philstar.com
Lacson wary over rising unprogrammed funds in nat’l budget: ‘Bad precedent’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Panfilo Lacson expressed concern over the seemingly increasing unprogrammed funds in the government’s annual budget.
Lacson said it would be a “very bad precedent” if this practice of putting extra items in the unprogrammed funds – added to what was already proposed by the Executive Branch in the National Expenditures Program (NEP) – becomes normalized by Congress in the future.
He lamented the lack of clarification on the matter by the Supreme Court. He said the high court should clarify Article VI, Section 25 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that Congress, in crafting the annual budget, should not increase the appropriations recommended by the President.
In the case of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Lacson noted, the NEP amounts to P5.768 trillion which supposedly serves as a ceiling for the year’s budget.
“If not clarified by a Supreme Court’s interpretation of Art VI, Sec 25 of the 1987 Constitution, what can prevent Congress from adding P1-trillion or even more in the next succeeding budget deliberations, so we borrow more to fund the excess in the Unprogrammed Fund under the NEP,” Lacson pointed out in a statement.
Full Story at: Lacson wary over rising unprogrammed funds in nat’l budget (inquirer.net)
SC asked to press the brakes on jeepney phaseout | INQUIRER.NET – Transport and commuter rights groups petitioned the Supreme Court on Wednesday to stop and ultimately void all government orders requiring the consolidation of franchises by Dec. 31 for the phaseout of traditional jeepneys under the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).
In the 56-page petition, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) president Mody Floranda, along with stakeholders from commuter and transport sectors, moved to prevent the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) from implementing the controversial program.
The petitioners sought a temporary restraining order and a writ of preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the year-end deadline for franchise consolidation, as they urged the high court to nullify all orders and circulars formalizing the PUV modernization plan for being unconstitutional.
The other petitioners are jeepney operator Jason Fajilagutan; Gaylord Despuez, Bayan Muna party list’s Metro Manila coordinator; Elmer Forro, No To PUV Phaseout Coalition of Panay member; and Ma. Flora May Cerna, spokesperson of the commuter group Komyut.
Full Story at: SC asked to press the brakes on jeepney phaseout | Inquirer News
