Senator Robin Padilla on Friday slammed the National Telecommunications Commission for its month-long suspension of the Pastor Apollo Quiboloy-owned Sonshine Media Network International.

Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, called the suspension "baseless" and a "transgression" of the media network's right to due process.

"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," he said in a statement.

On Thursday, the NTC announced its decision to suspend the operations of SMNI after it allegedly violated at least three provisions in the terms and conditions of its franchise under Republic Act 11422.

The agency particularly pointed out that the media network violated Section 4 or its responsibility to the public by "deliberately spreading false information;" Section 10 or the Sale, Lease, Transfer, Grant of Usufruct, or Assignment of Franchise; and Section 11 or the Dispersal of Ownership.

The NTC gave SMNI 15 days from receipt of the order to explain why the company should not be administratively sanctioned.

The NTC said it was acting on House Resolution No. 189, which urged the suspension of the media network over alleged violations of its franchise terms and conditions.

SMNI a 'big help'

Padilla said he would formally file a resolution condemning the issuance of a suspension order against SMNI when the Senate resumes its session in January.

He noted that SMNI has been "instrumental" in assisting the government in its anti-terrorism campaign through its programs that seek to educate the public about "communist propaganda and recruitment strategies."

"The NTC, in its show cause and suspension order, failed to indicate the need for suspending the operations of SMNI, much less expressed how this was necessary to avoid serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or private interests," he said.

"In the absence of proof of serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or private interests that may be caused by SMNI's continued operation, the general rule shall apply wherein the NTC shall have the power, upon proper notice and hearing, to issue a suspension order pursuant to the Public Services Act," he added.

The suspension order came days after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board announced the suspension of two SMNI programs, one hosted by former president Rodrigo Duterte, for 14 days.

The MTRCB said it ordered the suspension of Duterte's "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" program and the "Laban Kasama ang Bayan" program after a "thorough review and investigation."

The media watchdog said complaints were filed against the "Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa" 10 October episode where Duterte aired a death threat against ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro.

Meanwhile, the program "Laban Kasama ang Bayan," hosted by Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz, was suspended after Celiz claimed that Speaker Martin Romualdez had spent P1.8 billion on his travels for the year.