Marcos urged: Veto Konektadong Pinoy Bill

A group representing cable television operators urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto the "Konektadong Pinoy" bill, citing irregularities in the proposed measure.

Estrellita Juliano-Tamano, national chair of the Federation of International Cable TV Associations of the Philippines (FICTAP), made the appeal during a forum at the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

"I am appealing to our Congress and Senate and to the Office of the President, if possible, to veto this 'Konektadong Pinoy' bill, until we can fully address all the problems they haven't included," Juliano-Tamano said.

The bill, also known as the Open Access Transmission Act, was approved by the Senate on its third and final reading 5 February.

FICTAP said it supports the bill's aim to provide more accessible internet to Filipinos. However, the group emphasized that telecommunications companies should remain liable to the Philippine government for service failures.

"They allow cable TV operators unregulated, like what we are experiencing now. Anyone can operate," she said.

The bill seeks to simplify market entry for service providers, promote competition, and offer consumers more choices and affordable internet.

The bill is currently under review by a bicameral conference committee.

Marcos had certified the bill as urgent.

The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), which includes Globe Telecommunications Inc., previously raised concerns about the bill, citing potential risks to fair competition and national security.

"The bill’s exemption of data transmission providers from securing a congressional franchise and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity creates an unequal regulatory environment, violating the principle of fair competition," the PCTO said in a statement.

Other groups have also expressed security concerns, alleging that some provisions are open to abuse.