Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8222)
The Diocese of Laoag is granted the franchise under Republic Act No. 8222.
The franchise grants the Diocese of Laoag the right to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and/or television broadcasting stations in the City of Laoag for religious, educational, and commercial purposes.
The grantee must operate its stations in a manner that results in minimum interference with the wavelengths or frequencies of existing stations, without diminishing its own rights to use its frequencies and maintaining quality transmission or reception.
Yes, the grantee must secure permits and licenses from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) before constructing or operating any stations or using any frequency.
The grantee must provide adequate public service time for government information, offer sound and balanced programming, assist in public information and education, avoid broadcasting obscene or indecent content, and prevent dissemination of false information or incitement of subversive acts.
The President has the right, in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, disaster, or disturbance, to temporarily take over and operate the grantee's stations or facilities, suspend operations, or authorize government use of the stations, with due compensation to the grantee.
The franchise term is twenty-five (25) years from the date of effectivity of the Act, unless revoked or cancelled sooner.
The franchise shall be ipso facto revoked if the grantee fails to commence operations within one year of NTC permit approval; operate continuously for two years; or commence operations within three years from the effectivity of the Act.
The grantee shall pay taxes on real estate, buildings, and personal property, and either a franchise tax of five percent per annum on gross receipts or the value-added tax under Republic Act No. 7716, whichever is higher, in addition to the income taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code.
No, the grantee cannot lease, transfer, sell, assign, merge, or transfer controlling interest of the franchise without prior approval of Congress. Any such person or entity assuming the franchise is subject to the same terms and conditions.
The grantee must not require prior censorship but must cut off any broadcast content that tends to incite treason, rebellion, sedition, or contains indecent or immoral language or themes, failing which is cause for franchise cancellation.
The grantee must submit an annual report to Congress within sixty (60) days after the end of each year on compliance with franchise terms and on its operations.
If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions not affected remain valid and in effect (separability clause).
Yes, the franchise is subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by Congress if public interest so requires, and the grant is not exclusive.