MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law granting a franchise to the Villar family's Streamtech Systems Technologies Inc, according to a copy of the measure released by Malacañang.

Streamtech can "install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest" an international gateway connecting the Philippines to other countries, according to the law signed on Oct. 18.

The franchise also includes wire or wireless telecommunications, internal and national broadband, mobile and cellular. It also includes the construction, acquisition, lease, management and operation of transmission stations, lines and cables, according to the document.

The law will take effect 15 days from publication in the Official Gazette. Its signatories also include Senate President Tito Sotto and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In an interview with ANC's Headstart last January, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said he would not use his influence to advance Streamtech's interest.

There is "nothing legally wrong" with the family's telecommunications venture, he said at that time.

"Giving high speed internet its not something is detrimental to our people. That’s a legitimate business," he said.

The Villar's business empire includes property giant Vista Land and Lifescapes, shopping mall operator Starmalls Inc and Golden Haven Memorial Park, which listed on the stock exchange in 2016.