EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE
S.B. No. 1 .,^ 7 4
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 1 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7966 TO EXTEND THE TERM 
OF THE FRANCHISE OF ABS-CBN CORPORATION UNTIL 31 DECEMBER 2020
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7966, the franchise of ABS-CBN 
Corporation is set to expire on 4 May 2020.
On February 24, 2020, just seven session days before the Lenten break of 
Congress, the Senate Committee on Public Services conducted a public hearing on 
several broadcast franchise bills referred to the Committee. Among the resolutions 
tackled were the Simple Resolution filed by Senator Grace Poe and Joint Resolution 
filed by the Minority Leader Senator Franklin Drilon regarding the franchise of ABS- 
CBN.
Congress is time-pressed to act on the pending franchise bills of ABS-CBN 
before its existing franchise expires, putting the livelihood of over 11,000 workers in 
uncertainty especially with the pronouncement of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno 
citing the Supreme Court in G.R. 144109 that a holder of a franchise shall cease to 
operate once its franchise expires.


By amending RA 7966 and extending the franchise of ABS-CBN to the end of 
the year, all possible legal consequences that may arise while Congress is still 
deliberating on whether or not to grant ABS-CBN a fresh franchise after May 4, 2020 
will be addressed and no longer be at issue.
Further, the extension of almost 10 months will be enough for Congress to 
resolve ABS-CBN's pending franchise applications.
In view of the foregoing, urgent consideration of this proposal is earnestly
sought.
RAMOrf/BONG REVILLA, 3R.
S e n ^ r


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1 .<^ 7 4
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Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 1 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7966 TO EXTEND THE TERM 
OF THE FRANCHISE OF ABS-CBN CORPORATION UNTIL 31 DECEMBER 2020
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 7966 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
“Section 1. Nature and Scope of Franchise. -  Subject to the 
provisions of the Constitution and applicable laws, rules and 
regulations, [the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, referred to 
as the grantee, its successors or assigns, is hereby granted -a 
franchise} THE FRANCHISE GRANTED UNDER REPUBLIC 
ACT 
NO. 
7966 
TO 
ABS-CBN 
BROADCASTING 
CORPORATION, HEREUNDER REFERRED TO AS THE 
GRANTEE, ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNEES to construct, 
operate and maintain, for commercial purposes and in the public 
interest, television and radio broadcasting stations in and 
throughout the Philippines, through microwave, satellite or 
whatever means including the use of any new technologies in 
television 
and 
radio 
systems, 
with 
the 
corresponding 
technological auxiliaries or facilities, special broadcast and other


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broadcast distribution services and relay stations[7], IS HEREBY 
EXTENDED TO 31 DECEMBER 2020.
Sec. 2. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
executive orders, letter of instructions, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary 
to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or 
amended accordingly.
Sec. 4. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved.
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