Smart franchise awaits Senate ok

MANILA, Philippines – A bill extending the franchise of Smart Communications for another 25 years is awaiting final Senate approval.

According to a statement released by the House of Representatives yesterday, the Senate approved Bill 5942 on second reading last Feb. 3 before Congress adjourned for the four-month election campaign.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Sergio Osmeña lll, still requires third-and-final-reading approval.

Smart is the country’s biggest mobile phone service provider. It is a subsidiary of telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT).

Its 25-year franchise was granted under Republic Act No. 7294 enacted in March 1992. It will expire in March next year.

If the outgoing 16th Congress fails to extend the franchise of Smart, its fate will lie with the incoming 17th Congress, which will convene on July 25.

Outgoing Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao, who authored Bill 5942, said Smart is a huge company whose business is vested with public interest.

“We should not allow uncertainty to hang on its head. I am hoping that with a fresh mandate, Smart could go full throttle to upgrade its services, all for the benefit of the public,” he said.

RA 7294 allowed the PLDT subsidiary “to establish, install, maintain, lease and operate integrated telecommunications/computer/electronic services, and stations throughout the country for public domestic and international telecommunications, and for other purposes.”

The House and the Senate will resume their session on Monday. They will have two days to act on pending measures before convening as a canvassing board on Wednesday to tally the votes for president and vice president.

Congress will end its third and last regular session on June 10.