With 284 affirmative votes and four negative votes, the Lower House approved on third and final reading House Bill 9710 that will nullify the legislative franchise of Swara Sug Media Corp. which operates SMNI.

Four solons did not participate in the voting.

The opposition Makabayan bloc supported the bill that was filed by 1-Rider Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez shortly after Eric Celiz, a commentator of SMNI, reported that Speaker Martin Romualdez had spent over P1 billion in his foreign trips.

Celiz, who was held in contempt and detained, apologized for the inaccuracy in his report.

Lawmakers agreed that SMNI had been propagating falsehoods and personal attacks against political leaders in the country, thus, had violated the conditions of the franchise granted Swara Sug.

Swara Sug has been linked to Quiboloy, who is currently the object of two legislative warrants of arrest issued by the Senate and the Lower House.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchise which sponsored HB 9710, held Quiboloy in contempt for refusing to appear during hearings that discussed the measure.

“SMNI has engaged in red-tagging and fake news peddling, labeling members of the House, the former Vice President of the Philippines and private persons as members of the New People’s Army,” Gutierrez said.

Explaining her affirmative vote, Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers partylist Rep. France Castro said that by its acts alone, SMNI does not qualify to be considered part of the media.

“Sa katunayan, ang SMNI ay kinasangkapan ng nakaraang Duterte administration para mang-red-tag at magkalat ng fake news,” Castro said.

She said the anti-communist NTF-ELCAC benefitted from SMNI as the broadcast station was used as a tool in spreading lies and unfounded accusations against individuals they label as communists for merely airing legitimate criticisms against the Duterte administration.

“Pangunahing biktima ni dating pangulong Duterte, NTF-ELCAC at ng SMNI ay ang mga mamamayan nating nagpapahayag ng hinaing sa gobyerno, at mga aktibista na naghahangad ng tunay, makatao at maka-Pilipinong pagbabago,” stated Castro.