STATE-RUN television channel Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) received a fresh lease of life after President Ferdinand Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12311 extending its franchise by another 25 years.
The franchise of the IBC is set to expire this year, but with the signing of RA 12311, it will now be allowed to continue its operations until 2050 unless it is sooner revoked or cancelled.
As part of its franchise, it will be allowed to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines, where frequencies and channels are still available.
The franchise also allows IBC to make use of digital televisions systems, microwaves, satellite and other new technology in radio and television systems.
It will be required to have free public service time, exercise self-regulation by cutting off the airing of materials, which incite sedition, treason and rebellion, provide employment opportunities, and disperse its ownership by offering 30 percent of its outstanding stock or higher percentage in any securities exchange in the Philippines within five years from the effectivity of RA 12311.
IBC must also submit annually a report on its compliance on the terms of its franchise to Congress on or before April 30 every year. It will be fined P500 per working day for non-compliance to the reportorial requirement.
The television network is an attached agency of the Presidential Communications Office.
As early as 2023, there were already attempts in the House of Representatives to renew the franchise of the network, however, it did not push through after the Senate failed to pass its counterpart bill.
Marcos signed RA 12311 on 3 October 2025 and will take effect 15 days after it is published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.