Bill granting IBC 13 fresh 25-year franchise gets Senate nod

The bill seeking to renew the legislative franchise of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC 13) for another 25 years has hurdled the Senate.

House Bill 6505 was approved on third and final reading on Monday with 21 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstention.

After the passage of the measure, Senator Raffy Tulfo, sponsor of the measure, thanked his colleagues for their support.

"Ang pagbibigay ng panibagong franchise sa IBC 13 ay nangangahulugan ng pagbibigay nga panibagong pag-asa na ito’y lumago at ipagpatuloy  ang pagbibigay ng tamang impormasyon at kaalaman, lalo na patungkol sa mga pangyayari sa gobyerno, sa bawat mamamayang Pilipino," Tulfo said.

(The granting of a new franchise to IBC 13 signifies a renewed hope for its growth and the continuation of providing accurate information and knowledge, especially developments in the government and to every Filipino citizen.)

Tulfo said renewing the franchise of IBC 13 is also an opportunity to create employment and job opportunities.

"Ang panibagong franchise na ito ay magpapatuloy din sa mga programa ng IBC upang matugis ang mga fake news, mapangalagaan ang kulturang Pilipino at mabigyang boses ang ating mga kababayan sa lahat mga issues pampulitika at pang-ekonomiya," he said.

(This new franchise will also continue IBC's programs to combat fake news, preserve Filipino culture, and give our fellow citizens a voice on all political and economic issues.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News