President Rodrigo Duterte MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed three laws granting and renewing the franchise of telecommunication companies. Duterte signed Republic Act 11757 and RA 11758 renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Binan-based Independent Telephone Company, Inc. and Sultan Kudarat Telephone System Inc., respectively. He also approved RA 11759 granting Derecho Telecommunications, Inc. a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain telecommunications systems throughout the Philippines. All laws require the grantees to secure from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) a certificate of public convenience and necessity or the appropriate permits and licenses for the construction, installation, and operation of its telecommunications systems or facilities. "In issuing the certificate, the NTC shall have the power to regulate and impose such conditions relative to the construction, operation, maintenance, or service le