In a resolution dated 22 April 2026, the SC Second Division said the issues raised by NOW Telecom had already been resolved in its 13 November 2023 decision.

The high court also denied the company's request to elevate the case to the SC en banc and to hold oral arguments.

"The Supreme Court en banc is not an appellate court to which decisions or resolutions of a Division may be appealed," the resolution stated.

The court likewise ordered the entry of final judgment, adding that no further pleadings would be entertained.

Citing the finality of the ruling, the NTC announced on Sunday that it would proceed with the collection of P3.77 billion in unpaid Supervision and Regulation Fees (SRF) from NOW Telecom.

In its 2023 ruling, the SC upheld the NTC's decision disqualifying Next Mobile Inc., now known as NOW Telecom, for failing to pay the required SRF and Spectrum User Fee.

The court rejected the company's argument that its additional paid-in capital resulting from a debt-to-equity conversion should not have been included in the computation of its SRF.

NOW Telecom had argued that the stock subscriptions arising from the debt conversion did not form part of its capital stock because no cash payment was received.

The SC disagreed, ruling that converting liabilities into equity increased the company's capital stock, with the extinguishment of debt serving as valid consideration for the issuance of paid shares that formed part of its additional paid-in capital.