Swara Sug Media Corporation, operator of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), has requested the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to inhibit three of its own officials from hearing the suspension of its radio and television operations.
In a statement, the NTC said SMNI sought to inhibit three members of the commission from further acting on the case even as they also requested for an additional 15 days to reply to the alleged infractions.
At the hearing on 4 January, the NTC granted Swara Sug/SMNI more time to reply to the allegations or until 15 January this year.
On Thursday, Swara Sug/SMNI asked the NTC to specify and detail the alleged violation of the terms of its certificate of public convenience and necessity with the filing of a bill of particulars.
“The NTC is objectively studying Respondent Swara Sug/SMNI’s afore-mentioned Motions, and shall proceed to consider and resolve the same in adherence to the provisions of NTC’s Rules of Procedure, and tenets of fair play and due process,” the regulator said.
The NTC just before Christmas suspended the radio and television operations of SMNI for 30 days for alleged franchise violations in the wake of House-approved Resolution 189 urging the regulator to suspend the operations of Swara Sug Media Corporation, operating as SMNI.
In its order, the NTC directed SMNI to explain in writing within 15 days why it should not be administratively sanctioned. It scheduled its administrative hearing on the SMNI case on 4 January 2024.
