By Genalyn Kabiling

The influential Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) could install and operate private telecommunications services in the country for another 25 years after President Duterte renewed its franchise.

The President signed Republic Act No. 11219 or “an act extending for another 25 years the franchise granted to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ)” last February 14. A copy of the law was released by the Palace Tuesday.

Under its franchise, INC will have the right to “construct, establish, install, maintain, lease, purchase, operate and carry on a private telecommunications or electronic communication services throughout the Philippines and between the Philippines other countries and territories.”

“The franchise shall be extended an in effect for a period of 25 years from the date of the effectivity of this Act, unless sooner revoked or cancelled,” the law read.

“This franchise shall be deemed ipso facto revoked in the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two years,” it added.

The law stated that the franchise grantee must secure the appropriate permits from the National Telecommunications Commission for the constitution, installation and operation of its telecommunications systems.

It also stated the responsibilities of the grantee such as conforming to the ethics of honest enterprise. It must “not use its stations or facilities for obscene or indecent transmission or for the dissemination of deliberately false information, or willful misrepresentation or assist in subversive or treasonable acts.”

The grantee must also operate and maintain stations and transmission equipment “in a satisfactory manner at all times” and as far as economical and practicable, improve its systems to keep abreast with the latest science and technology.

It must also improve and extend its services in areas not yet served, and in areas prone to hazard and typhoons to be determined by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Its facilities must also be improved to ensure compliance with the country’s Free Mobile Disasters Alerts Act.

Under the law, a special right is reserved to the President in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency or disturbance of peace and order to temporarily take over and operate the stations; suspend operations in the interest of public safety and security; or authorize the temporary use and operation upon due compensation to the grantee.

If the grantee fails to submit an annual report to Congress, it will be slapped with a fine of P500 per working day of noncompliance.

The law takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper.