Manila – The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives incurred travel expenses totaling PHP 4.3 million for foreign trips from January to October 2023. This was disclosed by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco during the House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing on Thursday. The financial report was presented to counter claims made by a host of Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) alleging that Speaker Martin Romualdez had a PHP 1.8 billion travel fund.
According to Philippines News Agency, the expenses covered the staff accompanying the Speaker on his foreign trips. Additionally, Velasco noted that the total travel expenses incurred by all other lawmakers and the House Secretariat for the same period amounted to PHP 35.25 million. The combined expenses for the Office of the Speaker, the House Secretariat, and members of Congress on official trips reached PHP 39,605,123.61. Committee chairperson and Paranaque Rep. Gus Tambunting emphasized the importance of fair and accurate news reporting, noting its influence on public opinion and trust in matters of public interest.
Tambunting also highlighted that while free speech and press freedom are constitutional rights, the allocation of TV and radio frequencies is not guaranteed and is subject to congressional authority. He stated that Congress has the power to grant, amend, suspend, or revoke legislative franchises. He referred to Section 4 of Republic Act 11422, which requires broadcast stations to avoid deliberately disseminating false information.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel questioned why SMNI should not be held accountable for violating Section 4 of its legislative franchise, citing the discrepancy between the claimed PHP 1.8 billion travel fund and the actual PHP 39 million incurred. Mark Tolentino, legal counsel for SMNI, responded that the hosts were merely posing a question and not accusing Romualdez of the alleged expenditure. Tolentino mentioned that SMNI is conducting an internal investigation into the matter and highlighted the disclaimer in SMNI’s programs that statements made by anchors or guests do not represent the official stance of the station.
He defended the station’s actions, invoking the Philippine Supreme Court’s jurisprudence on freedom of press and expression. Tolentino also referred to the Civil Code, stating that there is a presumption of good faith and the burden of proof for any breach of legislative franchise lies with the accuser.