Marcos OKs renewal of IBC-13 franchise for another 25 years

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has enacted a law renewing the franchise of the state-run Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13) for another 25 years. 

The President signed Republic Act No. 12311 on October 3, 2025. It will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

The franchise – a renewal of the original franchise granted under RA 8954 in 2000 – will be in effect for 25 years unless sooner revoked or cancelled.

RA 12311 authorized IBC-13 to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations anywhere in the Philippines where frequencies or channels are still available for commercial purposes and in the public interest.

The IBC-13 shall secure the appropriate permits and licenses for the construction and operation of its stations or facilities from the National Telecommunications Commission, and shall not use any frequency in the radio or television spectrum without authorization from the NTC.

The law prohibited the state-run media network from selling, leasing, transferring, granting the usufruct of or assigning the franchise or its rights and privileges acquired thereunder to any person, firm, company, corporation, or other commercial or legal entity, or merge with any other corporation or entity, or from transferring its controlling interest to any person, firm, company, corporation, or entity without Congress’ prior approval.

Earlier this year, Senator Raffy Tulfo said a fresh franchise for 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, as sponsor of the bill that proposed the renewal of IBC 13’s franchise, added that this was an opportunity to create employment and job opportunities.

In 2024, a total of 145 IBC-13 employees received their retirement pay, more than two decades since they left the state-run media firm.

Under then Secretary Cheloy Garafil, the Presidential Communications Office said it took 22 years and 28 management teams of the corporation before the retirement pay worth P500 million was released. — JMA, GMA Integrated News