President Rodrigo Duterte, on April 21, has signed Republic Act (RA) No. 10925 last April 21, which grants the renewal of franchise of Republic Broadcasting System, Inc., which is now known as GMA Network for 25 years.
The law also requires the Kapuso Network to provide free public service time to the government in relaying important public announcements and warnings.
The free public service time should be equivalent of 10% of all its ad time.
The RA 10925 reads: "The franchise shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the Congress of the Philippines when the public interest requires and shall not be interpreted as an exclusive grant of the privileges herein provided for.
"The grantee, its successors or assignees shall comply with the applicable labor standards under existing labor laws, rules and regulations and such other issuance as may be promulgated by the Department of Labor and Employment, taking into consideration the nature and peculiarities of the broadcast industry."
Meanwhile, Duterte said he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise and accused the Kapamilya network of "swindling" for supposedly not airing his political ad that was already paid during the campaign period last year.
Asked if he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, he said: "Yes."
"If ganoon ka kaano, you're engaged in swindling for all we know ilang kompanya dito na hindi n'yo pinalabas. If you operate, ABS-CBN, tapos manloloko lang kayo ng tao, mag-swindling kayo, I have to stop you, 'di ba?" he told reporters in an ambush interview in Malacañang.
The franchise has been there for 25 years. The law said it's okay, only if you adhere to journalistic standards," he said.
ABS-CBN's franchise will expire on March 30, 2020.
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Written by JENG
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