Four bills that grant and renew the franchise of telecommunication companies lapsed into law.
The Republic Act No. 11774, 11773, and 11801 renews the franchises of Calapan Telecom Telephone System, Inc., Panay Telephone Corporation, and Victorias Telephone System, Inc., for another 25 years, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Republic Act No. 11775 gives the Amapola Broadcasting System of Amado L Ola, OPC, a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines.
All of the aforementioned telcos are tasked to secure a certificate of public convenience and necessity and the right permits and licenses from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
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The law states that in case any of the telcos violate the provisions of the franchise, the NTC has the authority to “revoke or suspend, after due process, the permits or licenses it issued pursuant to the franchise.”
It also states that the commission can recommend to Congress the revocation of the franchise in case of any violations.
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The franchise holders also need to conform to the “ethics of honest enterprise and not use its stations or facilities for obscene or indecent transmission, or for dissemination of deliberately false information, or willful misrepresentation, or assist in subversive or treasonable acts.”
Moreover, the law gives the Philippine President a special right to temporarily and operate the transmitters, facilities, stations, and equipment in times of war, calamity, rebellion, and other special cases.
The telcos are also tasked to submit a report every year that they have complied with the terms and conditions of the franchise and its operations to the Philippine Congress on or before every April 30 of the year. Failure to submit may result in a Php1 million fine every working day of noncompliance.