It seemed Pastor Apollo Quiboloy-owned SMNI network is fond of keeping its reputation as the premier fake news organization in the country.
On Thursday, May 5, SMNI scored another misinformation as it reported that Sarah Geronimo supports the Marcos Jr.-Duterte-Carpio tandem.
Blogger Rod Magaru in his tweet, shared a clip of SMNI reporter and die-hard Marcos Jr supporting MJ Mondejar reporting on Marcos Jr and Duterte-Carpio’s campaign sortie in Tagum City.
In the clip, Mondejar boasted that many local celebrities and artists silently support Marcos Jr’s bid for the presidency.
He then mentioned that one of them is the wife of Matteo G, which is no other than the popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo.
“Alam mo maraming akong narinig na mga artistang bigatin na hindi daw sila allowed na magendorse ng kandidato. Bigyan ko kayo ng clue, asawa ni Matteo G, kilala ninyo yan!”
VIVA, baka naman you might also want to disprove this. You were so quick to deny She's supporting VP Leni as if its a disease link. Now their names are being dragged, gossiped by this network so what now? We're waiting. pic.twitter.com/09z9IqoGhL
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) May 5, 2022
Magaru, meanwhile, called on the Viva Artists Agency to confirm or deny Mondejar’s insinuation.
“VIVA, baka naman you might also want to disprove this. You were so quick to deny She’s supporting VP Leni as if it’s a disease link. Now their names are being dragged, gossiped by this network so what now? We’re waiting.”
Geronimo’s talent agency released an hour ago an official statement denying the said endorsement.
“Contrary to rumors circulating, our artists, Sarah Geronimo Guidicelli and Matteo Guidicelli, are not endorsing any political candidate for the upcoming elections.”
Official statement from Viva Artists Agency. Please follow us on our official social media accounts. pic.twitter.com/v2l8uUDHQq
— Viva Artists Agency (@VivaArtists_) May 6, 2022
Sarah G trended recently when Kakampink netizens posted a supposed IG story from Viva Artists Agency with Sarah wearing a pink outfit.
Viva, however, quickly denied the photo saying it was altered.
Sarah G’s closest cousin Ken Tua meanwhile denied Mondejar’s rumor saying “Not true. No futher comments po #LiwanagSaDilim.”
From Sarah’s cousin 😘 pic.twitter.com/LN9FPkDIJU
— ℳℛ ✨ (@marySGrose) May 5, 2022
SMNI is known for its pro-government stance resorting to spreading false news and biased reporting.
Recently, one of its overseas correspondents in Japan shared that their media accreditation at the Philippine Embassy there was revoked for alleged biased and unfair reporting.
OH ETO GALING NA MISMO SA REPORTER NYO BAKA SABIHIN HA FAKE NEWS HAHAAHAHAHAH pic.twitter.com/MDbDZQ6oox
— JUAN | #Eleksyon2022 (@juanderpet_) April 13, 2022
SMNI is also facing possible franchise revocation after Erlinda Cadapan, Concepcion Empeño, and Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay filed a 16-page complaint at the National Telecommunications Commission for supposedly spreading false information, maligning and defaming several individuals, and unfair news reporting.
Cadapan and Empeño are parents of missing UP student activists abducted by convicted kidnapper Jovito Palparan. SMNI, through NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Loraine Badoy recently interviewed Palparan inside the jail. The interview sought to picture Palparan as a victim of “trumped-up charges.”
FBI-wanted and fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy owns the SMNI network.
