TV5, CBCP franchise extension bills lapse into law —Malacañang

The bills renewing the broadcast franchise of TV5 Network and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines have lapsed into law as President Rodrigo Duterte did not act on them within the period set by the Constitution.

Republic Act 11319 extends for another 25 years the congressional franchise of CBCP to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain radio and or television broadcasting stations in the Philippines for religious, cultural and commercial purposes.

TV5 also got a 25-year franchise extension under Republic Act 11320.

Malacañang said the proposed measures actually lapsed into law on April 22.

Under the Constitution, any bill that is neither signed nor vetoed by the President will automatically lapse into law 30 days after it was forwarded by Congress.

Other bills pertaining to the franchise extension of the following entities have also lapsed into law:

• Rizal Memorial Colleges Broadcasting Corporation (RA 11252)

• Advanced Media Broadcasting System, Inc. (RA 11253)

• PBN Broadcasting Network, Inc. (RA 11316)

• Andres Bonifacio College Broadcasting System, Inc. (RA 11317)

• Insular Broadcasting System, Inc. (RA 11318)

• Cebu Broadcasting Company (RA 11339)

• Radio Marine Network, Inc. (RA 11340)

• First Love Broadcasting Network, Inc. (RA 11341)

• Tirad Pass Radio TV Broadcasting Network, Inc. (RA 11342)

Duterte has repeatedly lambasted the Catholic Church even though he considers CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles as his friend.

He even brought up the supposed misdeeds of clergymen and claimed to have been molested by a priest when he was a young student.

Last year, Duterte drew flak from religious groups and politicians after he remarked that God is “stupid.”

However, Duterte said the clergy should not use the pulpit to attack him and his policies, particularly the war on drugs.

Born and raised a Catholic, Duterte said on Wednesday that he is a “deeply religious person” who uses the Bible as guide in his daily life. —VDS, GMA News