Duterte extends INC telecom franchise for 25 years

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law extending the telecommunications and electronic communication services franchise of the Iglesia ni Cristo for another 25 years.

The President signed Republic Act No. 11219, which extended the franchise, last Feb. 14, one of 20 laws he had approved in recent days.

Malacañang released a copy of RA 11219 on Tuesday.

The franchise allows the Iglesia ni Cristo to construct, establish, install, maintain, lease, purchase, and operate and carry on a private telecommunications or electronic communications services throughout the Philippines and other countries and territories, including outer space as public interest may warrant, for domestic and international telecommunications.

The franchise will be revoked if the grantee should fail to operate continuously for two years.

Also on Feb. 14, the President signed RA 11204, which extends the franchise of Ermita Electronics Inc., or G. Telecoms, for another 25 years.

Last Jan. 18, he signed RA 11193 granting a franchise to Mindanao-based Malindang Broadcasting Network Corp., allowing it to operate and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in Mindanao. /atm