President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed the Republic Act No. 10925 granting GMA Network Inc. another 25-year franchise. GMA Network operated TV channels, a radio station, and an online site.
The said bill allows GMA Network to operate its channels and orders it to provide air time for public service announcements, especially in times of crisis, emergency and calamity.
It also strongly encourages GMA Network to “comply with the applicable labor standards” with consideration to “the nature and peculiarities of the broadcast industry.”
It will be recalled that in 2015, the talents hired by GMA won a case against the network because based on the law, contractual workers, given the nature of their job, should also be treated as a regular employees and be given security tenure and benefits.
Members of the Talents Association sued GMA 7 for depriving them of law-mandated benefits such as health insurance and social services.
The RA No 10925 allows the President to temporarily take over the operations of GMA Network if in the best interest of the public.
Rival network ABS-CBN is also up for its franchise renewal. The franchise will expire in 2020.
President Duterte’s negative rants against the said network has sparked concern among its stockholders, especially at this time where the network has pending franchise renewal.
