Team DailyPedia
In a House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing, Jeffrey ‘Ka Eric’ Celiz, the host of SMNI, openly acknowledged that a source had provided inaccurate information concerning the travel expenses of Speaker Martin Romualdez.
During the hearing, Celiz expressed a willingness to admit the mistake, stating, “We are very much willing to admit that indeed the source was wrong. In this committee hearing, we are very appreciative of the guidance provided by the data.”
When questioned about the previously stated claim that Romualdez possessed a travel fund amounting to P1.8 billion, Celiz affirmed his commitment to recanting and issuing an apology to Congress.
He stated, “Wala pong problema sa akin personally ‘yun because trabaho po namin na kilalanin ang pagkakamali kung may pagkakamali. Pero trabaho rin po namin ang magtanong”.
Responding to the financial report from the Office of the Secretary-General, which revealed that the House’s total budget for travel expenses was only P39.6 million, with P4 million spent by the Speaker, Celiz expressed his readiness to acknowledge the error if it helps remedy any harm caused by the misinformation.
He said, “If that will heal the wound, to a degree, the amount of insult that was forwarded to Congress, kung ganoon po ang epekto, wala pong problema, personally, trabaho po namin na kilalanin ang pagkakamali”.
The House Committee on Legislative Franchises initiated an inquiry into alleged franchise violations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) during the hearing.
The committee scrutinized SMNI representatives, including Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Marie Badoy, over one of their TV broadcasts. The investigation revolves around potential violations of Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11422, focusing on ethical conduct and the dissemination of accurate information in the public interest.
