Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz—(Photos from HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
MANILA, Philippines — Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) hosts Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Badoy, who were both cited for contempt, have been allowed to leave the House premises on humanitarian considerations.
After an ambush interview with reporters on Tuesday, House committee on legislative franchises chairperson and Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco signed the release orders for Badoy and Celiz.
Tambunting said that there was a long discussion among members of the panel as to whether they should let the two SMNI hosts leave, with some contesting this move. However, the committee eventually unanimously allowed the release of Badoy and Celiz, as both have been apologetic over their actions.
“Medyo mahaba po yung diskusyon, syempre mayroong hindi sumasangayon, mayroong sumasangayon, merong naga-abstain sa discussion pero sa dulo ho ng usapan, I had to call the vote as to what is the decision of the committee,” Tambunting said.
(The discussion was quite long, of course some did not agree, some agreed, while some abstained but at the end of talks, I had to call the vote as to what is the decision of the committee.)
“May sulat naman po tayo galing kay Ka Eric (Celiz) (and Badoy) na sila’y humihingi ng paumanhin sa kaniyang ginawa at yan ay nasa committee secretary ay meron naman po siyang, nag comply din naman po siya sa pangalang hinihingi po natin na kaniyang source sa Senado,” he added.
(We had a letter from both Ka Eric [Celiz] and Badoy that they are asking for forgiveness regarding what happened during the hearings, and these are with the committee secretary. And he also complied with the request to release the name of his source in the Senate.)
Badoy and Celiz were detained during the committee on legislative franchises’ hearing on December 5, which revolved around around Celiz’ wrong claims about Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’ travel expenses, which was aired on SMNI.
Celiz said that a source told him that Romualdez spent P1.8 billion for trips, but Velasco clarified that the total travel cost for House members and their staff from January 2023 to October 2023 was at P39.6 million.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. (left), Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting (middle) and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco (right) sign the release order of SMNI hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz, who have been detained in the House since December 5, 2023. (Photo by GABRIEL P. LALU / INQUIRER.net)
Badoy’s detention came after she issued conflicting statements on the advertising revenues of their SMNI program “Laban Kasama ng Bayan.”
Tambunting also confirmed that the source that Celiz mentioned is an actual person, and they have informed Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri about the identity of this Senate worker.
The House panel chief said the source is not an employee of any senator.
“Yes, the person exists, na-verify ‘yon, kaya nga napag-usapan sa special meeting that I called after I verified, and the Senate President has been informed about this. The person exists in the Senate, siya po ay nando’n,” Tambunting revealed.
(Yes, the person exists, that was verified, it was discussed in the special meeting that I called after I verified, and the Senate President has been informed about this. The person exists in the Senate, he is there.)
“Well that’s for the Senate to (resolve), kasi remember siya ay source ni Eric, at siya ay source ni Eric so palagay ko dapat ang mag-deal d’yan ay ang Senado, siya ho dapat ang mag-imbestiga do’n sa pa’no niya nakuha ‘yong storya na walang katotohanan at fake news,” he added.
(Well that’s for the Senate to resolve, because remember he is a source of Eric, so I think the person who should deal with this is the Senate, they should investigate how he was able to grab hold of that story which was untrue and fake.)
Tambunting said that while Badoy and Celiz have been released, the hearings on the SMNI issue have not ended yet, adding that they hope to resume discussions by the second or third week of January.
As of now, there have been several proposed measures filed asking for the suspension of SMNI’s franchise or its outright revocation, due the claims issued by Celiz.
Just earlier, a bill seeking to revoke the franchise given to Swara Sug Media Corporation or SMNI was filed by 1-Rider Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez.
According to Gutierrez’ House Bill (HB) No. 9710, SMNI’s franchise must be revoked as the House committee on legislative franchises found numerous violations — particularly over Sections 4, 10, 11, and 12 of Republic Act No. 11422.
Celiz, meanwhile, was cited for contempt after he refused to reveal his source of information on Romualdez’ alleged P1.8 billion travel expenses in one year.
Proposed measures have been filed asking for the suspension of SMNI’s franchise or its outright revocation, due the claims issued by Celiz.
The amount was disputed by Velasco, who clarified the total travel cost for House members and their staff for 2023 stood at P39.6 million.