SMNI News Channel

Television channel

SMNI News Channel

Logo used since 2016

Type| Broadcast digital free-to-air television network
Country| Philippines
Headquarters|

* ACQ Tower, Santa Rita Street, cor. EDSA, Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
* KJC Compound, Pan-Philippine Highway, Sasa, Brgy. Buhangin, Davao City, Metro Davao, Philippines

Programming
Language(s)| Filipino (main)
English (secondary)
Picture format| 1080i (HDTV)
(downscaled to 16:9 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
Owner| Swara Sug Media Corporation
Key people| Marlon Rosete (President and CEO)
Ludevija Ayang (Executive Producer)
Sister channels| SMNI
History
Launched| May 24, 2016; 9 years ago (2016-05-24)
Founder| Apollo Quiboloy
(Honorary Chairman)
Closed| December 19, 2023; 19 months ago (2023-12-19) (digital TV only, NTC ordered suspension)
Links
Website| smninewschannel.com
Availability
Streaming media
Rumble| Watch Live (select programs only)

SMNI News Channel (SNC; stylized in all caps), known on-air as SMNI News, is a Philippine far-right[1][2] religious free-to-air news and public service television network based in Makati. It is owned and operated by Swara Sug Media Corporation, the parent company of Sonshine Media Network International, a broadcasting arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) led by Filipino televangelist and religious leader, Apollo Quiboloy.[3][4]

It airs national and international newscasts and talk shows, rolling news coverage from correspondents and reporters of SMNI Manila and other news bureaus in the Philippines and in more than 40 countries around the world, entertainment programs and news-related programs.[3]

It is exclusively aired over digital terrestrial television on UHF Channels 39 and 43 in Metro Manila, and UHF Channel 19 in Davao Central and through more than 500 cable & satellite affiliates nationwide, selected programs simulcasting live via Facebook page, as well as on the main SMNI channel via analog and digital TV.[3]

SMNI News Channel broadcasting van

## Programming

[edit]

### Current programs

[edit]

#### News

[edit]

* Balita ng Bansa (2020)
* SMNI Newsblast (2016)
* EdiTOLrial with Sen. Francis Tolentino
* SMNI Newsbreak
* SMNI Nightline News (2021)
* Newsline World
* Weekender World

#### Public affairs and commentary

[edit]

* 3PM: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao Pilipinas Muna! (2023)
* Business and Politics with Dante "Klink" Ang II (2022)
* Dito sa Bayan ni Juan (2021)
* Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa (2023)[5]
* Laban Kasama Ang Bayan (2021)
* Maki-Alam (2022)
* Pinoy Legal Minds (2022)
* Pulso ng Bayan (2022)
* Statecraft with Sass Rogando-Sasot (2021)
* SMNI Special Reports
* The Deep Probe (2023)
* Banateros (2024)

#### Public service

[edit]

* Kabayan Abroad (2020)
* OFW, Ikaw ang Bida! (2023)
* Problema N'yo Itawag kay Panelo (2022)
* SMNI Exclusive (2022)

#### Infotainment

[edit]

* Eco Hour
* Healthy Chat @ Sonshine
* Ito ang Buhay (This is Life)
* Mga Doktor ng Bayan (2022)
* Pa-Talk (2022)
* SMNI Entrepinoy Revolution (2022)

#### Kingdom-related

[edit]

* ACQ Classic
* Give Us This Day
* Powerline
* Quiet Moments
* Sounds of Worship
* Gospel of the Kingdom
* SPOTLIGHT Live! Worldwide

#### Documentary

[edit]

* A New Me Story of Hope and Victory
* Caravan of Love

#### Drama

[edit]

* Makitang Muli (Tagalog dub of 2011 Chinese drama Family Reunion; produced by Regent Foods Corporation, 2023)

* - denotes that this program is also simulcast on its main DTV channel, SMNI and Radio station DZAR 1026.

### Previous programs

[edit]

#### News

[edit]

* SMNI Morning Headlines
* SMNI Newsline
* SMNI Newsline Philippines (2006–2016)

### Current affairs and commentary

[edit]

* Point of Order (2021–2022)
* Usaping Bayan (2016–2022)
* Thinking Pinoy on SMNI (2020-2021)
* Build PH (2023)
* OFW Helpline (2023)

#### Infotainment

[edit]

* Amplify Your Life

#### Drama

[edit]

* Papa, Nasa'n Ka? (2023) (Tagalog dub of 2011 Chinese drama Horizon True Heart; produced by Regent Foods Corporation, 2023)

#### Cartoon

[edit]

* Kingdom Force (2022–2023, later moved to ALLTV)

#### Kingdom-related

[edit]

* Generation K

#### Specials

[edit]

* Election Watch 2016: The SMNI News Special Coverage
* SMNI Presidential Debates 2022
* SMNI Senatorial Debates 2022
* On the Road with the Frontrunner (multi-platform coverage of UniTeam campaign rallies)
* The Deep Probe: The SMNI Presidential Candidates Interview
* Election Watch 2019: The SMNI News Special Coverage
* Election Watch 2022: The SMNI News Special Coverage

## Subchannels

[edit]

Subchannels of SMNI News Channel (UHF channel 39)  Channel  | Video | Aspect | Short name  | Programming  | Note

|
|
|
|
|

39.01  | 480i | 16:9 | SMNI News Channel | SMNI News Channel | OFFLINE
39.02  | 16:9/4:3 | SMNI  | SMNI
39.03  | 16:9 | SMNI Radio  | DZAR

## Notable broadcasters and anchors

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

### Current anchors

[edit]

Quiboloy (center) with his guest President Rodrigo Duterte discuss matters during the show "Give Us This Day" in June 2019.

* Apollo Quiboloy
* Rodrigo Duterte – 16th president of the Philippines[5]
* Dante "Klink" Ang II – president and CEO of The Manila Times
* Lorraine Badoy – former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson
* Juan Ponce Enrile – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and former Senate President
* Jesus "Mang Jess" Arranza – Federation of Philippine Industries chairman
* Jeffrey Celis (Ka Eric) – former New People's Army (NPA) cadre
* Sass Rogando-Sasot – foreign relations expert
* Franco Baranda
* Yna Mortel
* MJ Mondejar
* Admar Vilando
* Dr. Carl Balita
* Troy Gomez
* Jade Calabroso
* Kyle Selva
* Salvador Panelo – former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and former presidential spokesperson
* Ron Salo – Kabayan Partylist representative
* Harry Roque – former presidential spokesperson
* Atty. Mark Tolentino
* Dr. Ted Herbosa – Secretary of Health
* Greco Belgica – former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chairman
* Senator Francis Tolentino
* Marissa del Mar-Magsino – OFW Partylist representative
* Peter Serrano - actor and political vlogger
* Lala Vinzon - actress

### Former anchors

[edit]

* Michael "Mike" Abe - A news anchor who specifically dealt with the controversy on Vice Ganda's challenge to Quiboloy on possibly shutting down ABS-CBN as the pastor has claimed to have "stopped" the series of earthquakes in Mindanao in 2019.[6][7][8][9] He later departed from SMNI in 2022 after he walked out from hosting his program Usaping Bayan following his on-air argument against Quiboloy over the latter's alleged criticism on President Bongbong Marcos's first State of the Nation Address.[10]
* Mike Defensor
* Rodante Marcoleta
* R. J. Nieto (Thinking Pinoy)
* Antonio Parlade Jr.
* Lucy Torres-Gomez
* Robert Ace Barbers
* Atty. David Castillon
* Atty. Migs Nograles
* Arnell Ignacio
* Anna Mae Lamentillo

## Awards and citations

[edit]

In June 2023, SMNI was recognized as the "Best Preeminent Broadcasting and Media Production Company" (international category) in the 16th Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business and Excellence.[11]

## Controversies

[edit]

### Far-right bias and red-tagging

[edit]

According to a report by Rappler, the network allegedly fuels disinformation, misleading claims and propaganda to attack journalists and critics of the Duterte administration.[12][citation needed] It also has been accused of being a far-right channel in the Philippines.[1][2] The channel has been compared to American Fox News and Canadian Rebel News.[2]

On 7 July 2023, YouTube terminated the channels of SMNI and one of its programs, Laban Kasama ang Bayan (translated from Tagalog: Fight with the People), along with KJC, following a previous ban on Quiboloy's YouTube channel which was terminated on 21 June. Google later stated that their actions were in compliance with existing sanctions by the United States against Quiboloy pursuant to the US Global Magnitsky Act as well as allegations of red-tagging misinformation; Quiboloy was previously indicted by the United States Department of Justice on charges of human trafficking and child sexual abuse.[13][14]

Quiboloy and SMNI later created accounts on the alt-tech video service Rumble[15] as well as an alternate account for SMNI on YouTube in defiance of sanctions;[16] the latter account was suspended by YouTube a few days later.[17] On 15 September 2023, the SMNI News' Facebook page was deleted, in accordance to Meta's Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Policy.[18] On 19 March 2025, Meta took down 3 Facebook pages affiliated with SMNI, including from DZAR 1026 citing "expressing hatred or contempt for a group of people and using harmful racial stereotypes" that violated Meta's community standards.[19]

### Administrative complaint

[edit]

SMNI is facing an administrative complaint filed in May 2022 before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Concepcion Empeño and Erlinda Cadapan, the mothers of disappeared students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, and left-wing human rights group Karapatan petitioned the NTC to revoke Swara Sug Media Corporation's franchise, for airing on SMNI an interview with convicted kidnapper and retired Army General Jovito Palparan.[20] The complainants said in a statement that the broadcast propagated disinformation in violation of Republic Act No. 11422 and the 2007 Broadcast Code of the Philippines.[20][21] Palparan and program host Lorraine Badoy also red-tagged former vice president and then-presidential candidate Leni Robredo during the broadcast, which the complainants alleged were in violation of Commission on Elections' Resolution No. 10730 involving truth in advertising and fair and accurate reporting.[21]

### Partnership talks with CGTN

[edit]

See also: Propaganda in China § External propaganda, and China-Philippines relations

During former President Rodrigo Duterte's meeting with General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping in July 2023, SMNI personnel, along with Quiboloy, met with Chinese state media China Global Television Network (CGTN) executives to discuss a partnership for efficient information dissemination.[22][23]

### House franchise probe

[edit]

This section is an excerpt from Sonshine Media Network International § House franchise probe.[edit]

On 28 November 2023, the Philippine House Committee on Legislative Franchises launched an investigation on SMNI, following a report claimed by Laban Kasama ang Bayan co-host Jeffrey Celiz about travel expenses allocated to House Speaker Martin Romualdez where he spent ₱1.8 billion. Quezon 2nd District Representative David Suarez called the report "fake news".[24] The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) also flagged SMNI, Celiz and co-host Lorraine Badoy for violating its Code of Ethics even when they were unaccredited broadcasters.[25][26]

SMNI faced legal scrutiny following the investigation, including the revocation of its congressional franchise. PBA Partylist Representative Margarita Nograles filed a resolution urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend the broadcast operations of SMNI for allegedly violating its franchise's terms and conditions.[27][28]

### Suspension of programs

[edit]

Two programs were placed under a 14-day preventive suspension by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, effective 18 December 2023,[29] following reported complaints on their alleged violations.[30] Majority of board members voted to suspend Gikan sa Masa, para sa Masa, where program host, former president Rodrigo Duterte, allegedly twice aired threats against ACT Teachers party-list representative France Castro.[29][30]

The program Laban Kasama ng Bayan was unanimously suspended after an episode where one of the hosts, Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz, questioned the travel spending of House Speaker Martin Romualdez in that year, citing unverified information from his source at the Senate.[29][30] The House had Celiz cited in contempt for refusing to reveal his source on his inquiry; Celiz said he is bound by the Sotto Law, which protects journalists from revealing their sources.[31] Celiz was eventually detained for seven days together with his fellow host, Lorraine Badoy, who was also cited in contempt. Celiz and Badoy went on a hunger strike in response to the "travesty" of the House proceedings and their detention.[32] On 11 December, Celiz' wife and Badoy's husband, represented by lawyer and fellow SMNI host Harry Roque, filed a petition before the Supreme Court to release the two news hosts on or before 15 December; the petition also asked the court to issue a writ of habeas corpus declaring their detention had no legal basis and to issue a writ declaring that the House acted with grave abuse of discretion.[33] Four days later, the House released Celiz and Badoy from detention citing "humanitarian reasons dahil Kapaskuhan (because it is Christmas)".[34]

On 21 December, the National Telecommunications Commission issued an order suspending operations of the entire SMNI for 30 days, as well as a show cause order against the network.[35] On 22 January 2024, the NTC, per Deputy Commissioners John Paulo Salvahan and Alvin Bernardo Blanco, in a 6-page Cease and Desist Order, made the 30-day SMNI suspension indefinite: “Pursuant to Sec. 4, Rule 10, the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure… the Commission hereby directs respondent to cease and desist from operating its radio and television stations under the authorities enumerated in the 19 December 2023 show-cause-order (with 30-day suspension order pending hearing and final consideration of the above-captioned case).” The Order was signed after the House of Representatives said in Resolution 189 that "the SMNI violated several provisions of its franchise as provided under Republic Act 11422".[36][37]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Chua, Yvonne T. (June 14, 2023). "Philippines". Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
2. ^ a b c Chi, Cristina (June 14, 2023). "Digital News Report: Filipinos more 'cautious' of expressing political views". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
3. ^ a b c "SMNI News Sonshine Media Network International". SMNI News. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
4. ^ "Apollo Carreon Quiboloy". FBI Most Wanted. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
5. ^ a b Llemit, Ralph Lawrence G. (January 14, 2023). "Ex-Pres. Duterte's 'Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa' returns". SunStar. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
6. ^ "Mike Abe on PEP.ph". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
7. ^ Navalta, Daniel Joseph (November 7, 2019). "Broadcaster Mike Abe lambasts Vice Ganda for making fun of Pastor Quiboloy". Kami.com.ph - Philippines news. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
8. ^ "Challenge Accepted: Pastor Quiboloy takes comedian's dare to end EDSA traffic, long-running TV show – kind of". Coconuts Manila. November 8, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
9. ^ "Vice Ganda, sinermunan ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy". Radio Mindanao Network. May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
10. ^ "Napuno na! Broadcaster walks out on air after Quiboloy takes jab at Marcos' SONA". Politiko. July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
11. ^ Montibon, Pol (June 5, 2023). "SMNI, muling tumanggap ng pagkilala mula sa Golden Globe Awards 2023". DZAR 1026 Sonshine Radio (in Filipino). Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
12. ^ Baizas, Gaby; Macaraeg, Pauline (February 6, 2022). "Quiboloy's SMNI fuels disinformation, online attacks on gov't critics". Rappler.
13. ^ Ombay, Giselle (June 22, 2023). "YouTube takedown nothing new, says Quiboloy". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
14. ^ Gonzales, Gelo (July 7, 2023). "YouTube terminates SMNI News, KOJC channels in 'compliance with US sanctions laws'". Rappler. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
15. ^ Mateo, Janvic. "YouTube removes other channels affiliated with Quiboloy". Retrieved July 8, 2023.
16. ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (July 8, 2023). "SMNI News channel back on YouTube". The Manila Times. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
17. ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (July 11, 2023). "Up again, down again: YouTube drops SMNI news for second time". Retrieved July 11, 2023.
18. ^ Baizas, Gaby (September 15, 2023). "SMNI News Facebook page disappears". RAPPLER. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
19. ^ news, SMNI (2025-03-18). "JUST IN | Meta has simultaneously suspended the SMNI News page and its affiliates, DZAR 1026 and SMNI Integrated News". SMNI NEWS CHANNEL. Retrieved 2025-03-19. `{{cite web}}`: `|last=` has generic name (help)
20. ^ a b Cordero, Ted (May 4, 2022). "Quiboloy's SMNI slapped with admin complaint over Palparan interview". GMA News Online. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
21. ^ a b Gregorio, Xave (May 4, 2022). "SMNI shutdown sought over Palparan interview, red-tagging". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
22. ^ "Asylum On The Agenda? Execs Of Quiboloy's SMNI Meet With Chinese State-Run Media Officials". Politiko. July 19, 2023.
23. ^ "Digong pumadrino kay Quiboloy sa China". Abante (in Tagalog). July 19, 2023.
24. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (28 November 2023). "House to probe SMNI on claim Romualdez spent P1.8B on trips". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
25. ^ Chi, Cristina (1 December 2023). "SMNI flagged for allowing non-KBP accredited broadcasters to go on air". Philstar.com. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
26. ^ Gulla, Vivienne (8 December 2023). "Mga kinulong na SMNI hosts planong iapela ang contempt order". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
27. ^ Tolentino, Reina (5 December 2023). "Lawmaker seeks suspension of SMNI television network". The Manila Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
28. ^ Archangel, Xianne (4 December 2023). "NTC urged to suspend SMNI's operations for alleged franchise violations". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
29. ^ a b c Valmonte, Kaycee (December 19, 2023). "MTRCB suspends SMNI shows of Duterte, Badoy following probe into violations". Rappler. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
30. ^ a b c "MTRCB suspends SMNI shows hosted by ex-Pres. Duterte, Badoy, Celiz". CNN Philippines. December 19, 2023. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
31. ^ Velasco, Raheema (December 6, 2023). "Lawmakers cite SMNI hosts Celiz, Badoy in contempt". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
32. ^ "Detained SMNI anchors Badoy, Celiz go on hunger strike". CNN Philippines. December 7, 2023. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
33. ^ Casilao, Joahna Lei (December 11, 2023). "Badoy, Celiz kin file petition to release SMNI hosts in House detention". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
34. ^ Arcangel, Xianne (December 12, 2023). "Badoy, Celiz walk free from House detention". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
35. ^ Cupin, Bea (December 21, 2023). "Why the NTC suspended SMNI for 30 days". Rappler. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
36. ^ "NTC orders halt of SMNI operations anew for defying 30-day suspension". CNN Philippines. January 23, 2024. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024.
37. ^ Gulla, Viviene (January 23, 2024). "NTC orders SMNI to cease and desist operations pending final resolution of case". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to SMNI News Channel at Wikimedia Commons
* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Kingdom of Jesus Christ

Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc.

Leadership|

* Apollo Quiboloy

Media|

| Television and film|

* SMNI News Channel

|

Radio|

* DXAQ-AM
* DZAR

Newspaper|

* Pinas

Corporations|

* Sonshine Media Network International
* Sonshine Sports Management

Assets|

* Jose Maria College
* KJC King Dome

Others|

* 2024 Senate hearing
* KOJC compound standoff and arrest of Apollo Quiboloy

Christianity portal

* v
* t
* e

Television in the Philippines

Free-to-air
television
networks|

| Major|

| GMA Network|

* GMA
* GTV
* Heart of Asia
* I Heart Movies

|

TV5 Network|

* TV5
* RPTV
* One Sports

State media
(PCO)|

* PTNI
* PTV
* Radyo Pilipinas - Radyo Publiko
* PTV Sports Network
* IBC
* Congress TV
* DWAN TV

Minor|

| BEAM|

* Bilyonaryo News Channel
* Blast Sports
* D8TV
* PRTV Prime Media
* Knowledge Channel (under blocktime agreement)

|

EBC/CEBSI|

* Net 25
* INC TV

PBC|

* UNTV
* Truth Channel

Rajah|

* RJTV
* Timeless TV
* Radyo Bandido TV
* Rock MNL
* TV Maria

SBN/Solar|

* SolarFlix
* Solar Learning
* Solar Sports
* Shop TV

ZOE|

* A2Z
* Light TV

Others|

* Aliw
* Aliw Channel 23
* DWIZ News TV
* AMBS
* All TV
* MBC
* DZRH News Television
* PCMC
* DZMM TeleRadyo
* PRTV Prime Media
* RPN/Nine Media
* RPTV
* CCTN
* DBS
* Golden Nation Network
* Hope Channel Philippines

Regional|

* Bandera News TV
* Bee TV
* Brigada TV
* CLTV
* eMedia
* GBPI
* Infomax TV
* PBC
* PBN
* PRTV
* SBC

Defunct|

* 2nd Avenue
* 3ABN
* 5 Plus
* 9TV
* ABS-CBN
* AksyonTV
* AKTV
* Asianovela Channel
* ATC@IBC
* BBC
* Basketball TV
* Catsup
* Channel [V] Philippines
* Chase
* Cine Mo!
* Citynet
* CNN Philippines
* CT
* CTV
* Daystar TV
* DepEd TV
* E! Philippines
* eGG Network
* EMC
* ETC
* EZ Shop
* FUBC
* GCTV
* Global News Network
* GMA News TV
* Hallypop
* Hope International
* Inquirer 990 Television
* Island Living Channel
* Jack City
* Jack TV
* Jeepney TV
* Kapamilya Box Office
* Life TV
* Living Asia Channel
* Movie Central
* MTVph
* MTV Philippines
* Myx
* NBA Premium TV
* O Shopping
* One Media Network
* One PH
* Oras ng Himala Channel
* Pop Life TV
* PIE
* Pilipinas HD
* Pinoy Hits
* PinoyHowTo
* Q
* RTVMalacañang
* S+A
* Salaam TV
* Shop Japan
* SocialTV
* SMNI
* SMNI News Channel
* Solar News Channel
* Solar TV
* Studio 23
* Talk TV
* Telenovela Channel
* TBN Philippines
* TV Shop Philippines
* UltraVision 25
* Vintage Television
* Yey!

Awards and events|

* GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards (1971)
* PMPC Star Awards (1987)
* ENPRESS Golden Screen TV (2004)

Lists|

* List of television stations
* Analog
* Digital
* List of years in Philippine television
* List of Philippine drama series
* List of Philippine television shows

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template