THE National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) has issued another suspension order against broadcast operator, Swara Sug Media Corp, also known as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) due to violation of the telecom regulator’s order last month.
In a statement, NTC said it has issued a cease and desist order (CDO) dated Jan. 18, 2024 against SMNI pending hearing and final consideration of the administrative case (Adm. CN 2023-052) pending before the Commission.
The order was issued after the telecom regulator received reports SMNI was still operating in certain areas in Region VI by as late as Dec. 27, 2023 when the suspension was in effect.
The NTC has issued a 30-day suspension order against respondent Swara Sug effective upon its receipt last Dec. 21, 2023.
The January 18 order said “during the administrative hearing last Jan. 4, 2024, the broadcast network was given by the Commission an extension of time to file its Answer until Jan. 15, 2024.
Instead of filing any answer, on January 11, Swara Sug filed a Motion for Bill of Particulars, which the Commission denied on January 16.
The order also noted Swara Sug moved to inhibit all three sitting commissioners from further proceeding in the case instead of directly addressing the allegations against it.
The NTC had denied said motion to inhibit in a separate order dated Jan. 17, 2024 due to utter lack of merit.
Meanwhile, the NTC has directed Swara Sug to explain in writing within 15 days from receipt of the order dated January 18 why it failed to strictly comply with the 30- day suspension order, and directed it to cease and desist from operating its radio and television stations pending hearing and final consideration of the above-captioned administrative case.
The NTC imposed the 30 days suspension last year for alleged violation of the terms and conditions of its franchise under Republic Act No. 11422.
