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GMA Network, operating for 70 years, says it didn't violate 50-year single franchise cap

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/06/19/20200505-20200505-abs-cbn-off-air-gc-5381-5296.jpg"/><figcaption>An elderly couple watch the final airing of TV Patrol moments before ABS-CBN signed off on May 5, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/file</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA -- GMA Network, in operation for 70 years, said Friday it did not violate the 50-year limit on the life of broadcast franchises.The broadcaster said it secured 25-year franchises in 1992 and 2017, both of which did not exceed 50 years at a time. The moves were pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, it said.GMA said it operated from 1950 and first obtained a franchise under Act No. 3846 and later under Presidential Decree 576-A. It said its articles of incorporation were amended pursuant to the Corporation Code of the Philippines.&quot;GMA Network has consistently complied with all requirements related to its 70 years of operations,&quot; the company said in a stock-exchange filing.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/17/20/strict-interpretation-of-50-year-franchise-limit-should-be-applied-to-abs-cbn-says-marcoleta">Strict interpretation of 50-year franchise limit should be applied to ABS-CBN, says Marcoleta</a></li></ul>SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta earlier raised the 50-year limit during the franchise renewal hearing of ABS-CBN Corp, which has been operating for under 70 years.During the most recent hearing last June 17, Marcoleta said he would &quot;concede that the 50-year limit is subject to the discretion of the state.&quot;ABS-CBN went off air on May 5, a day after its franchise expired after the National Telecommunications Commission ordered it to &quot;cease and desist&quot; operations.<div>News.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.</div>

GMA Network, in operation for 70 years, said Friday it did not violate the 50-year limit on the life of broadcast franchises.

GMA Network, in operation for 70 years, said Friday it did not violate the 50-year limit on the life of broadcast franchises.