On December 11, former broadcaster Jay Sonza appeared before the panel of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises’ during its inquiry on the alleged franchise violations of SMNI.
Sonza didn’t attend the first two hearings of SMNI’s violations. However, when the 68-year-old former broadcaster responded to the questions from the panel led by Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting, Sonza was forced to reveal the truth that he gets paid PHP 1 Million a month as a consultant for the network.
“It’s a sizable amount Mr. Chairman…A million…A million per month.”
His admission regarding to how much he gets paid monthly stirred up mixed reactions from netizens.
Most netizens called out the former broadcaster and known fake-news peddler.
Grabe!!! Kaya naman pala! https://t.co/w2vn9ve3j5
— Jonathan Manalo (@JonathanManalo) December 11, 2023
https://twitter.com/kikxsalazar/status/1734119420493197328
https://twitter.com/JohnMichaelCel5/status/1734131766452166896
https://twitter.com/AltABSCBNSB/status/1734126494027526246
https://twitter.com/AG_Ricarte/status/1734845291671835071
So, basically, SMNI had a monthly budget of 1 million php to spend on an "influencer" & the only person they managed to convince with this was… Jay Sonza? Are they that reprehensible?
It's so funny how these people defending SMNI can't seem to do so without slandering it. pic.twitter.com/O0s0drWZ16
— J (@i_r_hell) December 13, 2023
Nako prof if your the top of all marites and fake news spreader malaki talaga ang kita mo. We all know that Jay Sonza has many cases on him. Di na ako magtataka ganyan kalaki TF nya. Di mo man lang binigyan ng jacket si master pogi llamas hehehe.
— Daehz (@Daeson29) December 13, 2023
Others defended Sonza with various ‘whataboutisms,’ seemingly attempting to stir the conversation away from Sonza.
https://twitter.com/that_attitude/status/1734844708583883169
To those who say 1M per month is TOO MUCH for a consultant such as Jay Sonza who has 35 years of experience mass media, then tell me how much is the right amount for him?
I want to know.
— Lakay (@LakasNgTimog) December 13, 2023
KUNG SI JAY SONZA UMAMING TUMATANGGAP NG P1M BILANG CONSULTANT NG SMNI,
MAS MALAKI ANG TINATANGGAP NI BADOY AT CELIZ BILANG ANCHORS NG SMNI.
PARA MANINDIGAN SA KASINUNGALINGAN.
— STORYMAKER (@T4rgetL0cked) December 13, 2023
Wowowin host Willie Revillame, who worked as an entertainment personality and not a broadcast journalist, also got dragged into the conversation.
https://twitter.com/MillAnarchist/status/1734742486894207248
Willie Revillame famously (or infamously) got paid 1M per Wowowie episode.
PER EPISODE.
And that was aired daily.
Now, how ridiculous must we be to be surprised that someone with 35 yrs of experience deserves 1M per month?
Heck, some bands charge close to 1M PER show!
— Lakay (@LakasNgTimog) December 13, 2023
Do you know how they get money?
Do you know why shows has sponsors and advertisers?
So kay Jay Sonza, anong consultation ginagawa nya for 1M a month?
At bakit hindi nag a-appear sa documents ung 1mil nya? https://t.co/IBQA8PVDcc
— Political Attack Pig (@AttackPig00) December 13, 2023
The former broadcast journalist-turned SMNI consultant also disclosed that he began working for SMNI on March 20, 2023. It meant he would’ve already had a total of P8 million as a consultant.
However, Sonza didn’t attempt to share other details about his work arrangement with SMNI.
