Senate to resume inquiry into selection of 3rd telco

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate committee on public services is scheduled to resume this week its inquiry into the government’s recent selection of the third player in the country’s telecommunications industry that was marked with controversies and lawsuits.

 The panel is expected to look into allegations of irregularities, made by publicly listed PT&T and Sear Telecommunications, in the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC)’s decision to grant Mislatel consortium a provisional permit to become the third telco to challenge the duopoly of Globe and Smart. 

Giving fresh impetus was the resolution filed by Senators Francis Pangilinan and Leila de Lima seeking an inquiry into the state of the telecommunications industry and the government’s strategy on improving internet access.

 “Beyond the selection of a new major telco player, a broad set of reforms are needed to promote greater competition and level the playing field in the telco market with the end view of improving internet connectivity and enhancing the welfare, experience and opportunities of internet users in the country,” their Senate Resolution 933 reads in part. 

Mislatel is a consortium composed of Udenna Corp., a company owned by Duterte’s campaign donor Dennis Uy, its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. and China Telecommunications Corp. 

The NTC earlier disqualified PT&T and Sear Telecommunications, of which former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson is a major stakeholder, for having incomplete documents. The NTC also denied the two firms’ appeals to be reconsidered. 

Last week, senators called for transparency in the government’s selection of Mislatel. 

Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the public services committee, said NTC officials, telecommunications firms and other stakeholders should give updates on the developments in the industry. 

“How was it (Mislatel) chosen? They (NTC) officials claimed they used a computer-generated system to make the process fair, so let’s see if that’s true,” Poe told reporters. 

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the public was not able to see the offers of various companies seeking to be the third player as the NTC had already disqualified them prior to the opening of bids.