Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez wants to extend the franchise granted to NOW Cable Inc., formerly known as GHT Network Inc. for another 25 years.
He filed House Bill No. 7066 seeking to renew the franchise granted to NOW Cable, under Republic Act No. 8213, which was signed on September 5, 1996.
“The proposed law seeks to amend Republic Act No. 8213, further extending the franchise granted to NOW Cable, Inc. (NOW Cable) and expanding its nature and scope,” Benitez said.
He noted that pursuant to RA No. 8213, NOW Cable was granted a legislative franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and/or television broadcast stations in the country up to September, 2021, or for a term of 25 years.
“Considering the technological leaps since the passage of RA 8213, NOW Cable will take advantage of such technological advancements to continuously provide the public with more improved, state-of-the-art interactive television, and multimedia services. These include, among others, next generation broadcast systems, and wireless/satellite communication networks,” the administration lawmaker said.
NOW Cable was recently given the authority to expand its services to some parts of North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to fully maximize the scope of the benefit of the services offered to the public.
“NOW Cable has made appropriate use of its franchise, has complied with the provisions thereof, and remains committed to upholding the interest of the public and serving the Filipino people,” Benitez said.
HB 7066 provides that the franchise to be granted to NOW Cable shall be for a term of 25 years from the date of the effectivity of the proposed Act, unless sooner revoked or cancelled. This franchise shall be deemed ipso facto revoked in the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two years, it said.
Under the measure, the acceptance of the franchise shall be given in writing within 60 days after the effectivity of the proposed Act.
Upon giving such acceptance, the grantee shall exercise the privileges granted under the proposed Act and non-acceptance shall render the franchise void, the bill said.
The bill mandates the grantee to cut off from the air the speech, play or act, or scene, or other matter being broadcast if there is a clear and present danger to propose and or incite treason, rebellion or sedition, or the language used or theme is indecent or immoral.
The willful failure to do so shall constitute a valid cause for the cancellation of the franchise, according to the bill.
HB 7066 also provides that the grantee shall not lease, transfer, grant the usufruct of, sell nor assign its franchise or rights and privileges acquired to any person, firm, company, corporation, or other commercial or legal entity, nor merge with any other corporation or entity nor shall the controlling interest of the grantee be transferred, whether as a whole or in parts, and whether simultaneously or contemporaneously to any such person, firm, company, corporation or entity without the prior approval of Congress.