SMNI anchor apologizes for report on Speaker's travel expenses

The Davao City-based Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) has apologized over its “unverified” reports that Speaker Martin Romualdez had spent some P1.8 billion for travel.

- SHEILA CRISOSTOMO

SMNI program anchor Jeffrey Celiz admitted during a hearing of the House committee on legislative franchise on Thursday that they failed to validate the information that they received from his source about Romualdez’s travel expenses.

“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,” Celiz said. He pointed out that he did not in tend to disrespect the chamber through their report but maintained it was within his “editorial authority.”