SMNI host flees PH over harassment, seeks asylum in Canada

Sonshine Media Network International host Jeffrey Celiz has fled to the United States due to alleged harassment and potential arrest warrants in the Philippines.

Celiz claims that these actions are part of a broader campaign of political persecution against supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.

The SMNI host has been repeatedly summoned by the House Tri-Committee as a resource person in its probe into online disinformation but skipped four hearings without valid excuse letters, leading to contempt and detention orders.

Celiz cited plans to seek political asylum in Canada under international conventions protecting civil and political rights, emphasizing a high threat level against him and others like him.

Filipino migrant and human rights organizations have urged Canadian authorities to deny Celiz’s asylum request due to concerns about his history of labeling individuals as linked to communist insurgencies, potentially endangering activists and journalists in Canada.

In December 2024, Celiz lost a civil suit alongside co-host Lorraine Badoy for red-tagging broadcast journalist Atom Araullo and his mother, Carol Araullo, ordered to pay P2 million in damages.