Roque says other foreign firms can be third telco player if China not interested anymore contrary to other officials

January 3, 2018

Other foreign firms could enter as a third player in the Philippine telecommunication industry if China is not interested anymore, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Wednesday.

Roque's statement was contrary to the pronouncement of other Cabinet officials, such as Department of Information and Communications Technology Officer-in-charge Eliseo Rio and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar who said other parties apart from China could bid as the third telco player so the government could choose the best offer for the benefit of the Filipinos.

"If for any reason this is not acceptable to China Telecoms, then we have no choice. We gave China the option but if this is not acceptable to it, unfortunately we will have to look for other players because we will have to honor what the Constitution provides --- 60-40 in terms of owning a telecoms company," Roque said.

Asked if China has the first option, Roque said, "That’s my understanding because it was formally offered in a bilateral talk between the Chinese Premier and the Philippine President and they have since nominated China Telecoms."

But so far, he said there was no indication China Telecom does not want to push through with the project.

"But unless it’s actually up and going, I guess there is always a possibility that others may be involved if for any reason China Telecoms or China decides not to push through with their commitment ‘no, to start a third telecoms company," he said.

Last December, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the DICT and the National Telecommunication Commission to fast-track the entry of the third telecom player to foster competition in the market.

Duterte wanted this to be implemented by first quarter of this year.

In an earlier interview with Rio, he said it does not follow that China Telecom would be the third player.

Rio said it would be up to the Filipino firms, which would be formed, to choose their foreign partner and the competitor, which could give best offer would be considered as the third telco player.

Andanar, in a radio interview recently, also said the third telco player is not limited to China.

He has said this is open to all telcos or investors around the would and whoever could provide the best offer would be the third telco player.

There are only two major telco players in the Philippines which are providing poor services, according to critics. Celerina Monte/DMS