- President Duterte granted 25 years franchise renewal to MBC.
- President Duterte signs the law renewing franchise of MBC and 2 other broadcast companies.
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the franchise renewal of Manila Broadcasting Co. (MBC).
In a document released by Malacañang, Thursday, November 15, Duterte signed the law on October 30, 2018 granting the franchise renewal of MCB, one of the oldest and largest broadcasting companies in the country.
Owned by the Elizalde’s, MBC through R.A 11109 was granted another 25 years of franchise to operate their various radio and TV stations which include DZRH, DZRH TV, Love Radio, and Yes FM.
Aside from MBC, the President has also signed the law granting the franchise renewal of Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corp. and Vanguard Radio Network Company Inc., under R.A. 111110 and 11111 respectively.
Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corp. operates Like FM 105.9 while Vanguard Radio Network Company Inc. operates Big Sound FM 95.9.
Since the President was elected it already granted franchise renewal to several media and broadcast entities. Aside from the two mentioned above, President Duterte already renewed the franchise of GMA Network Inc. in 2017 and Notre Dame Broadcasting Corp. just this year.
However, the President has repeatedly announced its intention to block the franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN which is due for renewal in 2020.
He has also not acted upon the renewal of CBCP’s Catholic Media Network which was lapsed already in 2017 and still pending at the Senate.
TV5’s ABC Development Corp which is up for renewal in 2019 is also currently pending in Congress.
Here’s the list of broadcast companies which have granted franchise renewal and those that are currently pending.
Granted
- Manila Broadcasting Co.
- Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corp.
- Vanguard Radio Network Company Inc.
- Notre Dame Broadcasting Corp.
- GMA Network Inc.
Pending
- ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. (due in 2020)
- ABC Development Corp. (TV5) (due in 2019)
- Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (Catholic Media Network) (due in 2017)
