EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
1522
E-FIL
Tf:. May 11 2020 m
04:32 p.m.
iif&iJiC
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR PROVISIONAL LICENSES TO RADIO STATIONS WITH 
PENDING FRANCHISE RENEWAL APPLICATIONS AMENDING FOR THAT 
PURPOSE SECTION 1 OF ACT NO. 3846 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF RADIO STATIONS AND RADIO 
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
While we can simply dismiss an inaction by Congress to a franchise 
application or a renewal for that matter as plainly that, a simple denial of an 
application, it would seem to be not true and prudent if it involves the livelihood of 
several thousands in an institution that has long established itself as tire country's 
premier broadcasting station. A vast majority of tire people just would not give up 
on its favorite television network and would rather take to task tire very 
representatives they have entrusted to act on tlreir behalf and to advance only the 
general and collective interest. But as predicted, the year 2020 is a year of 
disappointment and to the dismay of the millions of its patrons, ABS-CBN 
Broadcasting Corporation signed off all because the franchise it held for seventy-five 
(75) years was not timely acted upon by their representatives until that fateful day of 
the franchise's expiration.
Expectedly, discussions ensue drawing to fore the real controversy 
surrounding the closure of what once was the mighty broadcast giant, that more 
than it being a legal question, it seems to have involved political and social interests 
as well. Had there been more time, these issues would have been resolved and tire 
bill renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN would have taken its course. Had the 
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) been adamant in its promise to 
issue the firm a provisional license pending the review of the franchise renewal 
application, tire masses would still have enjoyed their favorite pastimes on 
television. People could have meaningful options for entertainment as they grapple 
with the quarantine measures being presently enforced and the country would have 
still enjoyed tire support of a partner in surviving a pandemic that the nation


currently suffers. Instead, the NTC heeded the call for the strict application of tire 
law and chose to turn its back on what was once a compassionate treahnent to 
similarly situated entities like TVS Network Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., Globe 
Innove, Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corporation among others, which were 
all allowed to operate past the expiration of tlieir franchises until the same have been 
renewed.
Never had it been in the history of Congress that a private bill would stir so 
much exchange of equally intelligent and reasonable insights from persons of 
varying social, legal and political perspectives. Much will still be written about this 
saga in Philippine broadcast until the society put this to close. But it has given as a 
worthwhile takeaway, a realization of a legal loophole which can be easily plugged 
by legislative remediation. This measure seeks to address that seeming inequity in 
the treatment of legislative franchise applicants and remove that exercise of wisdom 
extended to the NTC. Should this proposal be enacted, all franchise applications will 
be provisionally renewed until the lapse of the session of tlie Congress that hears it. 
It should give them ample time to address issues and concerns of the legal and 
political luminaries and win die coveted authority for dieir continued operation.
Immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
LITO'*#M. LAP


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1522
■FR.FO1^
May 11 2020
04:32 p.m
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
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AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR PROVISIONAL LICENSES TO RADIO STATIONS WITH 
PENDING FRANCHISE RENEWAL APPLICATIONS AMENDING FOR THAT 
PURPOSE SECTION 1 OF ACT NO. 3846 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF RADIO STATIONS AND RADIO 
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 1 of Act No. 3846 otherwise known as "AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF RADIO STATIONS AND RADIO 
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES" is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Section 1. No person, firm, company, association or corporation 
shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio station within the 
Philippine Islands without having first obtained a franchise therefor 
from the Philippine Legislature; Provided however. That no 
franchise from the Legislature shall be necessary for the 
construction, installation, establishment or operation of a 
broadcasting station, an amateur station, an experimental station, a 
training station, a station on board a mobile vessel, train, or aircraft, 
or a private station in a place without any means of communication.
A LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISE FOR A RADIO STATION OF 
ANY PERSON, FIRM, COMPANY, ASSOCIATION OR 
CORPORATION SHALL BE DEEMED PROVISIONALLY 
RENEWED UPON THE VALID FILING IN CONGRESS OF A 
BILL SEEKING FOR ITS RENEWAL, PROVIDED THAT SUCH 
FILING BE MADE BEFORE THE ACTUAL EXPIRATION OF 
THE LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISE AND PROVIDED FURTHER 
THAT THE VALIDITY OF THE PROVISIONAL RENEWAL


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SHALL BE UNTIL THE NEXT ADJOURNMENT OF 
CONGRESS."
Section 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
binding.
Section 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, ordinances and rules 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified or repealed 
accordingly.
Section 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,