Section 17Sec./Art. 17

The grantee shall not lease, transfer, grant the usufruct of, sell or assign this franchise, nor the rights or privileges acquired thereunder, to any person, firm, company, corporation, or other commercial or legal entity, nor merge with any other company or corporation organized for the same purpose, without the prior approval of the Congress of the Philippines. Any person, firm, company, corporation or other commercial or legal entity to which this franchise is sold, transferred or assigned shall be subject to all the conditions, terms, restrictions and limitations of this franchise as fully and completely and to the same extent as if the franchise had been granted to the same person, firm, company, corporation or commercial or legal entity.