House leaders want franchise for INC’s radio station renewed

MANILA, Philippines - Leaders of the House of Representatives have pushed for the renewal of the legislative franchise granted to Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) for another 25 years.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales and Marikina City Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, have filed House Bill 5227 to extend EBC’s legislative franchise effective Nov. 3, 2018.

Belmonte said he recognized “EBC’s faithful compliance to its mandate of providing quality public service to the Filipino society it serves through broadcasts with quality multifaceted content.”

“EBC, in its almost half a century of existence, has been protective of the right of the public to information on matters that are of public concern as well as balanced news and content that uphold the morals and public policy of the society,” he said.

“Further, EBC has been proactive in environment, social and humanitarian concerns, promotion of historical and cultural heritages, promotion of original Filipino values and artistic creation and communitarianism,” he added.

Belmonte said EBC’s broadcasting expansion abroad through international bureaus and correspondents have opened up windows to the world for the nation.

The EBC is reportedly run by the influential Christian sect Iglesia ni Cristo.

Under the measure, EBC’s franchise shall be renewed, amending Republic Act 4916, as amended by Republic Act 7299, the validity of which is until Nov. 2, 2018, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and applicable laws, rules and regulations.

The renewed franchise shall be in effect for a period of 25 years, and shall be deemed ipso facto revoked if EBC fails to operate continuously for two years.