Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. eS

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Broadcast media plays an important role in shaping the development of every
modem day) society. More than just providing entertainment and recreation, broadcast
media has become an ubiquitous source of valuable information which helps create an
informed critical citizenry. In our country, broadcast media is instrumental in
bridging unifying Filipinos separated by territorial waters, topography, culture,
ethno-linguistic identity, and socio-economic background. Broadcast media has always
been a partner of Filipino families and institutions in passing along generations our
cultural heritage and distinct values and principles.

igh the years, broadcast media has been the Filipinos’ primary source of
information in every natural calamity, terror attack, and public health concern that hit our
always been at the forefront of mobilizing our countrymen in soliciting
joining relief operations during challenging times. In multiple occasions,
ia was instrumental in realizing necessary policy reforms. By shedding
it issues and advocacies, engaging the public in national discussions, and
for meaningful change, broadcast media has been instrumental in
litical, economic, and social roadmap of the country.

re, in this day and age of information, communication, and technology,
which allows for the fast spread of misinformation without established standards on

responsible ia practice.

continuous participation of ABS-CBN in the broadcasting industry.


From its predecessors in the early 1950’s to its current organization, ABS-CBN
Corporation has been in the service of the Filipino people in radio, television, online, and

mobile. By

tinuously elevating the standards of quality programming, ABS-CBN has

been at the forefront of every milestone in the broadcasting industry. Through its news

and cut
communiti
households

which shall

affairs programs, entertainment shows, and humanitarian efforts in
throughout the country, ABS-CBN continues to be part of Filipino
fionwide, and overseas.

Republic Act No. 7966, ABS-CBN was granted a 25-year franchise,

expire on March 30, 2020. This bill seeks to renew the franchise of ABS-
ther 25 years to install and operate radio and television broadcasting stations

ut the Philippines.

jew of the forgoing considerations, urgent approval of this measure is

ght.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6138

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

AN ACT
iG FOR ANOTHER TWENTY FIVE (25) YEARS THE FRANCHISE
ED TO ABS-CBN CORPORATION (FORMERLY ABS-CBN,
‘ASTING CORPORATION) UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7966 OR
GRANTING THE ABS-CBN BROADCASTING CORPORATION A
'HISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN
EVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE
PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SEC.

1. Nature and Scope of Franchise. - Subject to the provisions of the

Constitution and applicable laws, rules and regulations, the franchis granted to ABS-CBN
Corporation (formerly ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation), hereunder referred to as the

grantee, its
commercial
in the Philiy
radio broad
whatever

systems, wit
and other bi
twenty-five

successors or assigns, to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain, for
‘purposes and in the public interest, television and radio broadcasting stations
ines, where frequencies and/or channels are still available for television and
sting, including digital television system, through microwave, satellite or
including the use of any new technologies in television and radio
the corresponding technological auxiliaries or facilities, special broadcast
adcast distribution services and relay stations, is hereby renewed for another
25) years.

. Manner of Operation of Stations or Facilities. - The stations or facilities
shall be constructed and operated in a manner as will, at most, result only

imum interference on the wavelengths or frequencies of the other existing

ions which may be established by law without in any way diminishing its

use its selected wavelengths or frequencies and the quality of transmission or

yn as should maximize rendition of the grantee’s services and/or the
f.



SEC.
The grantee
appropriate
frequency ii
NTC,

Sec. 4.
service time

See. 5.
of the Phili
disturbance
grantee; to
safety, sec
thereof by
use of the

The
use thereof is

anytime
Sec. 6.

Prior Approval of the National Telecommunications Commission. -
shall secure from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) the
its and licenses for the operation its station and shall not use any
the television/radio spectrum without authorization from the NTC. The
, shall not unreasonably withhold or delay the grant of any such authority.

Responsibility to the Public. - The grantee shall provide adequate public
10 enable the government, through the said broadcasting stations or facilities,
pulation on important public issues and announcement; provide at all times
lanced programming; promote public participation; assist in the functions of

tion and education; conform to the ethics of honest enterprise; and not use
the broadcasting of obscene and indecent language, speech, act or scene,
ition of deliberately false information or willful misrepresentation to
of public interest, or to incite, encourage, or assist in subversive or
ts.

Right of Government. - A special right is hereby reserved to the President
ines, in times of rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster or

ff peace and order; to temporarily take over and operate the stations of the
iporarily suspend the operation of any station in the interest of public

ity and public welfare; or to authorize the temporary use and operation

'y agency of the government, upon due compensation to the grantee, for the
stations during the period when they shall be so operated.

io spectrum is a finite resource that is part of the national patrimony and the
a privilege conferred upon the grantee by the State and may be withdrawn
due process.

Term of Franchise. - This franchise shall be in effect for a period of

twenty-five (25) years from the date of effectivity of this Act. This franchise shall be

deemed ipso
(2) years.

Sec. 7.
given in writ

facto revoked in the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two

‘Acceptance and Compliance. - Acceptance of this franchise shall be
ing to Congress within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act. Upon

giving such acceptance, the grantee shall exercise the privileges granted under this Act.

See.
be subject
Republic A
1997”, as
Code of 199)

Sec. 9.

Tax provisions. — The grantee, its successors or assigns shall continue to
all applicable taxes, duties, fees or charges and other impositions under
No. 8424, otherwise known as The National Internal Revenue Code of

ended, Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as The Local Government
, as amended, and other applicable laws.

Self-regulation by and Undertaking of Grantee. — The grantee shall

not require rr previous censorship of any speech, play, act or scene, or other matter to

be broadcast

and/or telecast from its stations: Provided, that the grantee, during any



broadcast anc
matter being
treason, rel
indecent or
cancellation

See. 1
grantee shall

injuries, wh

/or telecast, shall cut off from the air any speech, play, act or scene, or other
broadcast and/or telecast if the tendency thereof is to propose and/or incite
lion or sedition; or the language used therein or the theme thereof is

joral, and willful failure to do so shall constitute a valid cause for the

f this franchise.

). Warranty in Favor of National and Local Governments. — The
hold the national, provincial, and municipal governments of the Philippines

to property or to persons, caused by the construction or operation of the

harmless ah claims, accounts, demands or actions arising out of accidents or

stations of |

Sec. 11.

transfer,
acquired the
legal entity,
entity to wl
same conditi

See. 1
general bi

See. 1.
held invalid,

See. 14.

subject to
public int
privileges

See. 1
of its publi

grantee.

Sale, Lease, Transfer, Usufruct, ete. — The grantee shall not lease,
t the usufruct of, sell nor assign this franchise or the rights and privileges
under to any person, firm, company, corporation or other commercial or
without the approval of the Congress of the Philippines. Any person or
h this franchise is sold, transferred or assigned shall be subject to all the
mns, terms, and limitations of this Act.

General Broadcast Policy Law. — The grantee shall comply with a
ast policy law which Congress may hereafter enact.

Separability Clause. — If any of the sections or provisions of this Act is
I the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

Repealability and Non-exclusivity Clauses. — This franchise shall be

ent, alteration or repeal by the Congress of the Philippines when the
t so requires and shall not be interpreted as an exclusive grant of the
in provided for.

Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date
ion in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,