Sources of Radio Laws and Regulation

International Treaties, Agreements, and Convention

Under international law, the International Radio Regulations binds the Philippines being one of the signatories at the administrative radio conference at Geneva in 1959. Messrs. Jose Alfonso, F. Trinidad, Guillermo Canon, and A.P.B. Frago were the Philippine representatives who signed for the Republic of the Philippines the International Telecommunications Convention which took effect on May 1, 1961.

A treaty is an agreement under international law entered in international law. A treaty may also be known as an (international) agreement, protocol, covenant, convention, pact, or exchange of letters, among other terms.

What are the sources of Radio Laws and Regulations?

The Secretary of Public Works and Communications (now Department of Transportation and Communications)

How is the Constitution of the Philippines a source of the Radio Laws and Regulations?

Who has the authority to issue Department Orders and prescribe rules and regulations to implement effectively the Radio Control Law?

Why are international treaties and conventions a part of Radio Laws and Regulation?

Letter of Instruction No. 13-A. Giving the Radio Control Office visitorial and investigative authority, power to impose fines and surcharges consistent with the penal provisions of Act 3846 as amended, etc.

Executive Order No. 546 series of 1979, creating the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the National Telecommunications Commission.

Presidential Decree No. 1784 signed on January 15, 1981, two days before the lifting of the martial law. The decree abolished the Print Media Council and the Broadcast Media Council.

Executive Order No. 125 as amende by Executive Order No. 125-A dated April 13, 1987.

What are the basic Radio Control Laws?

Certain provisions of the Constitution particularly the provisions on franchise and the Bill of Rights should serve as a guide in the interpretation of the Radio Laws and Regulations. Thus, the Philippine Constitution provides that no franchise or rights should be granted to any individual, firm or corporation except under the condition that it shall be subject to amendment, alteration or repeal by the Congress when the common good so requires. It further provides that no franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or other entities organized under the laws of the Philippines, sixty per centum of the capital of which is owned by citizens of the Philippines, nor such shall franchise, certificate, or authorization be exclusive in character or for a longer period than fifty years. A person therefore who wishes to obtain a radio franchise must be subject to these provisions of the Constitution.

Presidential Decree No. 36. Cancelling franchises, permits and authorizations granted for the operation of radio, television and telecommunications facilities that have remained unused by their holders after a reasonable length of time, that have violated the terms under which they were issued; creating the Mass Media Council and prescribing rules and regulations on the opening and operation of mass media.

Presidential Decree No. 191. Abolishing the Mass Media Council created under Presidential Decree No. 36 and creating in its stead the Media Advisory Council.

Act No. 3846, as amended by C.A. No. 365 and 571 and 584 providing for the Regulations of Radio Stations and Radio Communications in the Philippines and for other purposes. Act. No.3997, as amended (Radio Broadcasting Law)

Act. No. 3396, as amended (Ship Radio Station Law) requiring the installation of radio apparatus obligatory for certain types of ship of Philippines register.

Sources of Radio Laws and Regulation