By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Who’s afraid of the feisty Vice President Sara Duterte?

Apparently, not Parañaque City’s 2nd district Representative Gus Tambunting who chairs the House committee that scrutinized the franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founding leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).

On Wednesday (13 March 2024), Tambunting denied that Quiboloy — wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for alleged “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling” — is being given unfair treatment at the lower chamber.

The Parañaque City lawmaker maintained that Quiboloy is being accorded due process, contrary to the claim of VP Sara that the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” is being “given unfair treatment.”

“We respect her (VP Duterte) opinion, but our topic here in Congress is the SMNI franchise,” said Tambunting, who chairs the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

SMNI is the broadcasting arm of KOJC, although SMNI lawyers claimed that Quiboloy is not involved in its operations.

Tambunting’s committee has voted to revoke the franchise of SMNI —formally known as Swara Sug Media Corporation — over its alleged willful dissemination of false information and the transfer of ownership without congressional approval.

“This franchise was given by Congress. Kongreso rin po lang ang puwedeng bumawi po nito at iyon naman pong proseso, and as far as due process is concerned, dito po sa hearing namin, six months has been given, five months of hearing, six hearings were conducted and palagay ko mas maraming sinabi ang kampo ni SMNI kesa po sa mga Congressmen,” Tambunting explained.

He added: “Lahat po ng kanilang paliwanag ay ating pinakinggan at pinagbigyan po natin lahat ng katanungan nila.”

Quiboloy, a close friend of the Duterte political family, has been cited in contempt for skipping the hearings despite a subpoena against him.

Last Friday (8 March 2024), SMNI announced former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s appointment as KOJC administrator.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Ironic, as it seems, but the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of Davao got sick which is why he was not able to attend the hearing of the House committee on legislative franchises which is investigating, in aid of legislation, SMNI’s alleged franchise violations.

On Thursday, December 14, House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman Gustavo “Gus” Tambunting of Parañaque’s Second District said Quiboloy gave two reasons why he turned down an invitation to appear in the last House hearing because he was sick and “because he is not an officer of SMNI.”

Quibuloy is a close friend and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

However, Tambunting said that as far as the House body is concerned, Quibuloy is the “ultimate beneficial owner” of SMNI.

“Siya (Quibuloy) po ang tunay na makikinabang doon sa programang ‘yun. Naka-layering ka eh, kumbaga may mga kumpanya pero makikita mo pa rin kung sino talaga ang makikinabang. Siya po talaga,” the Parañaque lawmaker said.

He pointed out that even the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agrees that Quiboloy is the ultimate beneficiary of SMNI.

“Marami pong kumpanya, meron pang sole corporation papasok, kami may-ari. Pero pag in-analyze mo ay ang ultimate beneficiary — pwede silang maglagay nang ibang pangalan — pero makikita mo kung sino talaga ang tunay na may-ari e tine-trace back ‘yun. Even SEC agrees that the ultimate beneficial owner would be also Pastor Quiboloy,” Tambunting disclosed.

He added: “Kung titignan mo ‘yung mga shell holdings ng mga kumpanya kasi biro mo yung actual corporation tapos meron siyang individual shares, tapos may shares yung iba, pero pag ipinagsuma-suma mo, ang majority pa rin ay si Pastor Quiboloy. ‘Yun ang findings ng committee and that will be clearer in the coming hearings.”

Mark Tolentino, legal counsel and officer of SMNI, earlier told congressmen that Swara Sug Media Corporation of the Philippines, also known as Sonshine Media Network Inc., is not owned by Duterte’s “bff” Quiboloy.

“He’s not part of the corporate officers. He’s just a blocktimer of SMNI. We consider him an honorary chairman but he’s not part of the corporate officers, his name is not part of the corporate papers. He’s not a stockholder of SMNI or Swara Sug Media Corporation,” he said.

Tambunting said all SMNI officers, including Quiboloy, will be invited to the next hearing in January 2024.

“We can subpoena if needed. Maybe during the process of the hearing of the bill then that’s the time we will ask for his presence,” he said.

Tambunting added the committee will also tackle the allegations of sex trafficking and abuse against Quiboloy.

(AI/MNM)

By Dang Samson Garcia

PARAÑAQUE City 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting has filed a bill incorporating a drug abuse prevention program in subjects from Grades 7 to 12 under the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum.

House Bill 9251 or the proposed Drug Abuse Prevention Program in Basic Education Act seeks to establish a more developed school-based drug abuse prevention.

The proposed Drug Abuse Prevention Program under the Health subject aims to equip students with critical information and skills on drug abuse prevention.

The measure proposed the integration of drug lessons in subjects from Grades 7  to 12 in all public and private schools. These lessons will include the adverse effects of the abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs.

Lessons should also include preventive measures as well as health, socio-cultural, psychological, legal and economic dimensions and implications of the drug problem.