IT seems ABS-CBN Corp., from how it looks, will have to wait a little bit more in order to get a franchise.
Well, at least until after President Rodrigo Duterte leaves the Palace as the chief executive signed laws granting franchise to operate both television and radio to four media companies.
Granted franchise to operate were the St. Jude Thaddeus Institute of Technology Inc., Servotron Industries Inc., and Allied Broadcasting Center Inc. Likewise given a franchise to operate a radio station is the Christian Power Music Inc.
The President also gave 25-year franchise extensions for Blockbuster Broadcasting System Inc., Tagbilaran Broadcasting System Inc., and Transpacific Broadband Group Int’l Inc.
The law mandates TV and radio media companies to secure permits and licenses from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to construct and operate their broadcast stations or facilities. However, permits and licenses may be revoked in the event that these companies are found violating franchise provisions.
The law also mandates the franchise holder to “reach the pertinent populations or portions thereof on important public issues and relay important public announcements and warnings concerning public emergencies and calamities.”
The grantee’s facilities must not be used “for broadcasting absence or indecent language or scene and dissemination of false information to the detriment of the public – or to incite or assist subversive or treasonable acts,” for which the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN network giant is believed to have earned the ire of the administration which worked its way for Congress to deny its bid for an extended franchise to operate.