In his Senate Resolution No. 895 filed on January 8, Padilla said that NTC’s show cause and suspension order failed to indicate the need to suspend the operations of the SMNI, “much more express how this is necessary to avoid serious and irreparable damage.”
“The baseless issuance of a 30-day suspension order is a transgression of SMNI’s right to due process, which will result in serious and irreparable damage to it and its employees no less,” said Padilla, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.
In a separate statement issued Tuesday, the lawmaker said SMNI has been “instrumental” in helping the Philippine government’s anti-terrorism campaign.
“[This is] through its programs that aim to educate the people, especially the youth, against communist propaganda and recruitment strategies,” said Padilla.
Padilla has earlier expressed his disapproval of NTC’s move. Apart from Padilla, Senator Imee Marcos likewise slammed NTC over its decision, asking who’s afraid of SMNI.