Poe says SMNI franchise recall bill a precedent for future legislation
The approved House bill canceling Sonshine Media Network International’s (SMNI) authority to operate must serve as an example for future franchise legislation, according to Senator Grace Poe. | PHOTO: Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate Social Media Unit
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe said the proposal, which called for the revocation of Sonshine Media Network International’s (SMNI) authority to operate, must serve as an example for future franchise legislation.
According to Poe, the SMNI franchise cancellation bill must undergo “utmost study and scrutiny” because it could serve as a model for similar cases.
She committed to taking action once the bill is transmitted to the Senate and referred to the Senate committee on public services, which she chairs.
READ: House revokes SMNI franchise for violations
“To my knowledge, this is the first instance that a proposal for a franchise revocation has made significant progress in Congress. We should subject this to utmost study and scrutiny as this shall set a precedent for future legislative franchises,” Poe said in a statement Thursday.
Since no franchise bill “has ever been listed as a priority,” Poe said her panel will seek the consensus of the Senate leadership on the matter as well as on the pace of the bill’s disposition.
“On this, we will always be guided by the principle that a franchise is a privilege and that grantees should always abide by the tenets of fairness and public welfare,” she explained.
READ: House approves bill revoking SMNI franchise
“The appropriate manner of effecting revocation is through a repeal of the franchise law. Thus, the repealing statute must undergo the same legislative process as when a bill is passed into law,” the senator also said.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives finally approved House Bill No. 9710 after the committee on legislative franchises found SMNI violated several rules. The SMNI franchise revocation bill garnered 284 “yes” votes from lawmakers, four “no” votes, and four abstentions.
