Inhibit from case, SMNI asks regulators
‘The NTC is the judge, the NTC is the complainant, the NTC is the executioner. We cannot expect justice from the NTC’
Daily Tribune‘The NTC is the judge, the NTC is the complainant, the NTC is the executioner. We cannot expect justice from the NTC’
Sonshine Media Network International has asked regulators in the administrative complaint against them to inhibit from the supposed franchise violations case filed by a regional television station.
SMNI legal counsels Mark Tolentino and Rolex Suplico urged National Telecommunications Commission officials — Commissioner Ella Lopez and Deputy Commissioners Jon Salvahan and Alvin Blanco
— from taking further action in the administrative case and inhibit themselves on the grounds of unfair bias.
The SMNI claimed that the three sitting commissioners should be disqualified from hearing and rendering a judgment in the administrative case as it is also the complainant itself.
"The NTC is the judge, the NTC is the complainant, the NTC is the executioner. We cannot expect justice from the NTC," Suplico said.
Lopez, Salvahan and Blanco signed the show cause order with a
30-day suspension against SMNI in December.
It followed a House resolution pushing for SMNI's suspension for supposedly violating terms and conditions of its franchise.
Tolentino said the case could be referred to the Department of Justice.
It also pointed out that it has filed a petition for review before the Court of Appeals challenging the NTC suspension order.
In its motion, SMNI said judicial courtesy dictates that it stops any action on this case until such time the Court of Appeals has rendered a decision in the petition filed.
The NTC held its first hearing on the case yesterday, as Suplico said it granted the network 10 more days or until 15 January to file its reply.
