SMNI execs refuse to put franchise on the line after solon’s dare to prove P1.8-B travel spree claim vs Romualdez 

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Television network SMNI’s top officials declined on Thursday, Nov. 30 to put their congressional franchise on the line after Quezon 2nd district Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez challenged them to prove the allegation that Speaker Martin Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in his travels.

As a wager, Suarez said he would resign right then and there if the allegation is proven true.

“If you can prove that the P1.8 billion (travel funds) is true, I’ll resign. But if I can prove that the P1.8 billion that your program said is false, ilagay niyo dito yung prangkisa niyo on the line (put your franchise on the line),” Suarez said during a House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing on Thursday.

The hearing was attended by SMNI President Marlon Rosete and legal counsel Mark Tolentino.

The disparaging comments about the House chief were made on the SMNI program titled “Laban Kasama Ang Bayan”. In a plenary speech Tuesday, Suarez branded the allegation on the P1.8-billion travel fund as a smear campaign and fake news-peddling.

“Payag ka? (Do you accept the challenge?) Yes or no,” Suarez asked Tolentino on Thursday, to which the latter replied, “I cannot answer that Mr. Chair, I’m just a lawyer. That’s not part of my authority.”

Eventually, Tolentino would say “No” to the House deputy majority leader’s challenge.

“Ah hindi, so kasi alam niyo nang alanganin. Kasi alam niyong alanganin. Alanganin kasi yung statement na yun (Ah you don’t accept, so it’s because you know that its flimsy. You know that it’s flimsy. That statement was flimsy),” Suarez said.

Responding to the Quezon solon’s challenge, Rosette rather meekly said, “I have no right to decide, I think have to ask the board of directors.”

Suarez said that failure to prove the allegation made on the SMNI’s show would constitute “a direct violation of their franchise”.

“Nangangatog na ata tuhod nito (Their knees might be shaking),” quipped Suarez, before moving on to another topic.

The main anchors of Laban Kasama Ang Bayan are Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz. The two arrived late for the House panel hearing.

Tolentino said an internal investigation has been launched in connection with the claim made by the anchors.