VP Duterte praises SMNI hosts Badoy, Celiz for ‘defending our rights’

Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz (File photos from the House of Representatives)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday expressed solidarity with Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) hosts Loraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz after being held in contempt by the House of Representatives.

Recognizing Badoy and Celiz’s contributions to the administration of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, specifically, under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Duterte hailed the two as “symbols of standing for what is right.”

“The courage and resilience exhibited by Dr. Badoy and Ka Eric in defending our rights and upholding our Constitution are truly commendable,” Duterte said in Filipino in a statement issued on Wednesday.

She thanked those who supported the hosts, specifically, supporters and retired Philippine Military Academy alumni and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, along with other sectors.

“A united nation holds the power to advance our rights, justice, truth, and the establishment of a peaceful and strong community, Duterte said.

Badoy and Celiz were cited for contempt in a House hearing on Dec. 5.

READ: SMNI host Badoy says House detention arbitrary and illegal

READ: Finally, Celiz bared source of wrong info on Romualdez travel fund – solon

READ: SMNI hosts Badoy, Celiz appeal their release before SC

Celiz was detained for his refusal to reveal his source to his claim on live television that House Speaker Martin Romualdez spent over P1.8 billion in travel this year.

Badoy was detained after issuing conflicting statements regarding the advertising revenues of the SMNI program “Laban Kasama Ang Bayan.”

The two were allowed to leave the House of Representatives on Dec. 12 for humanitarian reasons.

The House will continue its hearings involving SMNI by January.

Several measures have also been proposed asking for the suspension or revocation of SMNI’s franchise.