Philippine Senate launches Senate TV on IBC-13 digital channel

The Senate of the Philippines launched Senate TV, its official free-to-air digital channel, on IBC-13 on Tuesday. The channel aims to give Filipinos unfiltered access to Senate proceedings, with a second phase planned for a main newscast and niche programmes.

The Senate of the Philippines on Tuesday launched Senate TV, its official free-to-air digital television channel, in partnership with state broadcaster Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC-13) to bring Filipinos a full view of its operations.

Senate TV joins Congress TV, the official channel of the House of Representatives, in laying the groundwork for “a C-SPAN-style framework for the Philippines,” IBC-13 said in a statement, detailing a public affairs service that shows viewers government functions with minimal editorial filtering.

Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian said Filipinos are currently not able to see how laws are created, particularly the research and consultations, nor the Senate staff who help craft bills. “As a senator, we merely become the face of that law,” he added. In addition to the new channel, the Senate’s communications office is also being restructured to better communicate with constituents, Mr. Gatchalian added.

According to IBC-13 the channel is in its first phase: providing live coverage of the chamber’s hearings and other proceedings. Senate TV will also follow members’ outings to the communities they serve. A second phase, like that of Congress TV, is being planned, which will feature a main newscast wrapping up Senate activities and its members, alongside other niche programs.

Senate TV is available on IBC-13 Digital TV Channel 13.3, which the chamber leased from IBC-13.