QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11319)
The franchise is renewed for another twenty-five (25) years from the effectivity of the Act (subject to revocation/cancellation under its conditions).
The franchise is deemed ipso facto revoked.
The stations must be constructed and operated to result in only the minimum interference on wavelengths/frequencies of existing stations or stations that may be established by law, without diminishing the grantee’s privilege to use its assigned frequencies and without reducing the quality of transmission/reception.
It must secure the appropriate permits and licenses for construction and operation, and it must not use any frequency without NTC authorization.
The NTC shall not unreasonably withhold or delay the grant of authority for use of frequencies.
Provide free-of-charge adequate public service time for government announcements on important issues/emergencies; maintain sound and balanced programming; promote public participation; assist public information and education; conform to honest enterprise ethics; promote audience sensibility and empowerment including closed captioning; and avoid broadcasting obscene/indecent content, deliberately false information/willful misrepresentation, or content inciting subversive/treasonable acts.
It is equivalent to a maximum aggregate of ten percent (10%) of paid commercials or advertisements, allocated based on need to specified branches/constitutional commissions and recognized international humanitarian organizations.
The NTC shall increase the public service time in case of extreme emergency or calamity.
During war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order, the President may temporarily take over and operate the stations, temporarily suspend operation in the interest of public safety/security/welfare, or authorize temporary use/operation by a government agency upon due compensation to the grantee.
No previous censorship is required. However, during any broadcast, the grantee must cut off from the air the speech/play/act/scene or other matter if it tends to incite treason, rebellion, or sedition, or if the language/theme is indecent or immoral.
Willful failure constitutes a valid cause for cancellation of the franchise.
The grantee must hold national, provincial, city, and municipal governments free from claims, liabilities, demands, or actions arising out of accidents causing injury to persons or damage to properties during construction or operation.
Create employment opportunities and allow on-the-job trainings; give priority to residents in areas where offices are located; follow applicable labor standards under existing labor laws; and reflect employment opportunities/jobs created in the General Information Sheet submitted to the SEC annually.
The grantee may not sell, lease, transfer, grant usufruct, assign the franchise/rights, merge with another entity, or transfer controlling interest without prior approval of Congress; Congress must be informed within 60 days after completion of the transaction.
Failure to report renders the franchise ipso facto revoked.
The grantee must submit an annual report to Congress on compliance and operations on or before April 30 of every year during the franchise term. A reportorial compliance certificate issued by Congress is required before any application for permit/certificate is accepted by the NTC.
A fine of P500 per working day of noncompliance, collected by the NTC from the delinquent franchise grantee and remitted to the National Treasury, separate from NTC reportorial penalties.
Advantages/favors/privileges/exemptions/immunities from existing or future franchises (upon prior review and approval of Congress) become part of this franchise and are accorded immediately and unconditionally to the grantee, except that it does not apply to or affect provisions of broadcasting franchises on territorial coverage, term, or type of service authorized.