Former Albay Second District Representative Joey Salceda has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto the “Konektadong Pinoy Bill” in its current form and return it to Congress for further review and amendment.

In a statement, Salceda acknowledged the bill’s goal of expanding internet access nationwide but warned that its present version contains structural flaws that could jeopardize key national policies and services.

“The objective of expanding internet access is well-intentioned. But the current form of the bill introduces structural risks to infrastructure policy, regulatory balance, public accountability, and even national emergency readiness,” Salceda said.

He added that it “may also accelerate the decline of our landline system, which remains essential in times of disaster.”

The former lawmaker stressed the need for a more thorough evaluation of the bill before it becomes law.

“This bill can still be crafted to promote digital inclusion while protecting long-term infrastructure resilience, service equity, and public accountability. We respectfully urge the President to return the measure to Congress for improvement,” he said.

Salceda underscored the importance of a unified direction for the government’s digital connectivity initiatives to ensure their long-term effectiveness and public benefit.

Among his recommendations for a more robust legislative framework are clear legal and technical definitions of “data-only” providers, which should be excluded from offering voice communication services, including emergency call services.

He also suggested imposing minimum infrastructure investment obligations on all providers, regardless of whether they hold a franchise, and enforcing fair coverage requirements for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) to ensure remote communities are not left behind.

Additionally, Salceda recommended requiring a public float or stock listing for providers that exceed certain revenue or subscriber thresholds, as a transparency and accountability measure.

Salceda also stressed the need to preserve the country’s legacy landline infrastructure until alternative technologies become fully reliable nationwide.

The “Konektadong Pinoy Bill” aims to strengthen programs that provide free internet access in public spaces and schools.

However, Salceda argued it must be thoroughly revised to ensure its implementation will be meaningful, well-structured, and effective once enacted.

The measure has also drawn opposition from Citizen Watch Philippines and six technology-focused organizations: the Global AI Council Philippines, Blockchain Council of the Philippines, Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, Data Center Association of the Philippines, Fintech Philippines Association, and Go Digital Philippines.