Zubiri urges House to continue probe vs. SMNI

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri on Sunday urged the House of Representatives to continue its investigation into potential violations of the legislative franchise of Sonshine Media Network International or SMNI.

In a statement, Zubiri stressed that he was not aware of anyone from the Senate that is leaking information to any reporter on any House matter.

SMNI anchor Jeffrey Celis earlier claimed that the person who informed him about Speaker Martin Romualdez's P1.8 billion travel expenses for 2023 was a Senate employee.

Citing Republic Act 53 or the "Sotto Law" which protects journalists from revealing their news sources, Celis refused to name his source.

For Zubiri, unless the SMNI broadcaster revealed the name of his tipster who is allegedly a Senate employee, there is "no reason to believe that these allegations are anything more than intrigues being sown to create controversy and fake news."

"I would suggest that the House continue their investigation until they get to the bottom of this accusation, and press for the concerned person to reveal the name of their alleged source from the Senate. Otherwise, the House can cite them in contempt," he stressed.

Should the said tipster be proven to be a Senate employee, the Senate chief vowed that disciplinary action would be issued against those involved.

"If they can prove it is an employee of the Senate, then we will initiate disciplinary action on those involved," he said.