‘SMNI is not owned by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy,’ insists network’s lawyer
Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) legal counsel Mark Tolentino tells House members on November 30, 2023 that Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder and head Pastor Apollo Quiboloy does not own the media company SMNI. However, he also stated that the executive pastor of the ‘Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name Incorporated’ holds a 53% stock in SMNI. KJC’s website states Quiboloy is the executive pastor of the church. (Screenshot taken from KJC website)
MANILA, Philippines — The legal counsel of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) is standing firm on his statement that Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) Head Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is not the owner of the media company SMNI.
The lawyer also maintains Quiboloy is not a stockholder in the broadcast network.
At the hearing of House committee on legislative franchises on Thursday, Attorney Mark Tolentino made the clarification after Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel mentioned that Quiboloy owns the broadcast network.
“SMNI is not owned by Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy,” Tolentino told Manuel.
After Tolentino said SMNI is not owned by Quiboloy, the committee chair and Parañaque City 2nd District Representative Gus Tambunting inquired if the pastor holds any position in SMNI.
“Does he hold any position there?” Tambunting asked.
“No, he’s not part of the corporate officers. He’s just a block-timer, Mr. Chair. He’s a block-timer of SMNI,” Tolentino replied.
When pressed further, Tolentino said Quiboloy is considered an honorary chairman, but he is not a corporate officer, and he is also not a stockholder.
But Tambunting said Tolentino’s statements might be contradicting SMNI’s articles of incorporation stated in the network’s franchise.
“Swara Sug Media Corporation, Mr. Chair, was founded in 1987,” Tambunting began to describe the company.
“And the products broadcasting service includes TV, radio, streamlining, and new media, its products include SMNI, SMNI News Channel, and Sonshine Radio, and this is owned by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, correct?” Tambunting asked the counsel.
“Not necessarily, Mr. Chair, no,” Tolentino quickly replied.
“So, you’re saying that the articles of incorporation are wrong?” Tambunting grilled Tolentino.
“We have an updated articles of incorporation, Mr. Chair,” Tolentino responded.
According to the list of stockholders that Tolentino read, 19 percent of SMNI’s stocks are handled by Jesus Christ Workers Members Cooperative.
13 percent is owned by a certain Marlon Rosete.
46.2 percent belongs to Fabus Capital Holdings Incorporated.
And the biggest share, at 53.46 percent, is owned by the executive pastor of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), the Name Above Every Name Incorporated.
The executive pastor of KJC is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, as stated on the religious organization’s website.
“Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy is an international evangelist, mega-church leader, educator, philanthropist and visionary,” the website announced.
“He is the Executive Pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, which has a following of more than 7 million worldwide, and congregations in Asia, North America, South and Central America, Europe, Africa, and Australia,” it also mentioned.
A quick search on the internet also shows SMNI “is the broadcasting arm of a Philippine television evangelist, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.”
However, a check on the ‘About’ page of the website reveals the names of Quiboloy and KJC are no longer part of the description.
SMNI as seen on search engines on November 30, 2023.
The hearing of the House panel was prompted by the speech of Quezon 2nd District Representative David Suarez on Tuesday.
He had asked the committee to exercise its oversight function after House Secretary General Reginald Velasco denied the allegation by one of the SMNI TV hosts.
The TV anchor had said the trips of House Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez for one year cost P1.8 billion.
On Wednesday, Suarez said he had on hand documents containing the Speaker’s travel expenses, and the figures were different from what the SMNI host claimed.
Earlier, Velasco said the combined travel expenses abroad for 2023 of Romualdez and other House lawmakers and officials amounted to P39.6 million so far.
