Senate approves TV5 franchise

The Senate approved on third and final reading yesterday the renewal of the franchise of TV5 Network for another 25 years.

With 18 affirmative votes and zero negative votes, the TV5 Network franchise was approved following the recommendation of the Senate committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, last month.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto sponsored the bill renewing the 25-year TV5 Network franchise.

During the committee hearings on the franchise renewal, lawmakers cited the network for its contributions in delivering timely and relevant news and sports programs.

Poe thanked the TV5 Network for its significant contributions in the field of news, public affairs, and sports.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri described TV5 as the No. 1 sports channel in the country.

The National Telecommunications Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas supported the renewal of the netwrok’s franchise. TV5 Network Inc. president Chot Reyes thanked the senators and vowed that the network would continue to serve the public.

“We have a very strong news department, news and public affairs department. We are also very strong in the sports category, being able to deliver a lot of sports content to the Filipino audience,” Reyes told the panel.

The House of Representatives last December approved on third and final reading the renewal of the TV5 Network Inc. franchise.