Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 11) — The House of Representatives on Monday adopted a resolution strengthening the call for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend the operations of Swara Sug Media Corporation, also known as Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI), over alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.

House Resolution No. 1499 was adopted in plenary hours after the committee report on the measure was approved by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

Filed by Pwersa ng Bayanihang Atleta (PBA) party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles, HR 1499 sought the suspension of SMNI’s operations for alleged red-tagging and airing false information about House Speaker Martin Romualdez’ s alleged ₱1.8 –billion travel fund.

In an SMNI show, Jeffrey Celiz said Romualdez spent ₱1.8 billion for his foreign trips. Celiz later admitted that his allegation was false after House Secretary General Reginald Velasco clarified that the Speaker only had a ₱4.3-million travel budget from January to October 2023.

During the House hearing on Tuesday for the alleged fake news peddling by SMNI, members of the Committee on Legislative Franchises cited Celiz in contempt for refusing to reveal who was the source of his claim, along with his co-anchor Lorraine Badoy, who admitted to being a co-producer of the show.

READ: SMNI hosts Celiz, Badoy likely to spend holidays in detention after being cited in contempt

SMNI was granted a legislative franchise under Republic Act 11422 in August 2019. This gave the TV network 25 years to operate.