NTC asked to probe ex-President Duterte, TV network over death threat

National Telecommunications Commission | PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons / Elmer B. Domingo

MANILA, Philippines – Makabayan bloc lawmakers are seeking a probe by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on fake news-peddling, Red-tagging and grave threats allegedly made by former President Rodrigo Duterte through Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela women’s party list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel filed late Monday House Resolution No. 1428 condemning the supposed acts committed by Duterte and the SMNI as violations of journalism standards and other existing laws which would merit the NTC’s action.

In their resolution, the Makabayan bloc members cited the Oct. 11 episode of the “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” program, hosted by Duterte and SMNI owner Apollo Quiboloy, where the former president allegedly issued a death threat against Castro whom he accused as being a member of the New People’s Army.

Duterte had been narrating what he purportedly advised his daughter Sara to tell members of Congress, particularly Castro, who questioned the confidential and intelligence funds sought by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in the 2024 national budget.

The House of Representatives has decided to remove the P650 million in confidential funds from the proposed 2024 budgets of DepEd and the OVP.

“Former President Duterte also criticized the House of Representatives in his interview, calling it ‘the most rotten institution’ and alleging that it escapes auditing from the Commission on Audit. Again, he presented no evidence to support his claims,” the lawmakers pointed out.