Pangilinan-led PLDT Inc. is gearing up for a possible legal battle over the Konektadong Pinoy Bill amid risks of opening up its network to outside access and creating cybersecurity threats for millions of subscribers if it lapses into law.
“We are hoping that it will not be signed into law by the President, but if it is signed into law, then we may have to go to the courts and raise the issue of the constitutionality,” PLDT Director, Supply Chain Management and Privacy Head, Corporate Secretary, and Senior Legal Advisor to the Chairman Atty. Marilyn Aquino told reporters on Tuesday.
Aquino said PLDT has submitted comments to Malacañang’s Office of the Deputy Secretary for Legal Affairs to raise constitutional concerns and urge a veto. She noted the bill grants “so (many) benefits” to data transmission providers not given to telcos.
“Here they’re requiring us to open all our assets—all our assets to data transmission providers without foundation that it must be essential,” she said.
“Data transmission providers can access our assets without any cybersecurity clearance. You create as many cybersecurity threats for us and our subscribers. So we will have our challenges, both Smart and PLDT, because we are affected in different ways.”
Separately, Ayala-backed Globe Telecom, Inc. also demands that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. return the bill to Congress, saying its goal of affordable and universal internet can only be met with a level playing field.
“We are advocating for universal access to affordable and reliable internet. But we believe this bill needs further study and reform. We hope the President understands the concerns raised by many in the industry, including respected voices and notable personalities,” Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said.
“Our key concerns include regulatory imbalance, uneven competition, and the lack of transparency and oversight for new players.”
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies have also opposed the measure due to national security risks and weaker regulatory oversight.
The Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is only awaiting Marcos’ signature, seeks to streamline permits, improve spectrum management, and mandate infrastructure sharing to aid over 1,000 small internet providers, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.
It removes the need for new data transmission players to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.