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GMA Network
7 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Imee calls for immediate signing of Konektadong Pinoy Bill
Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday called for the immediate signing of the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act (KPA), urging the administration to deliver on its commitment of strengthening digital services for all Filipinos. In a press release, Imee cited the remarks of his brother, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., in his fourth State of the Nation Address, saying that "the government must fully embrace digitalization to provide better service to the people, through its vital frontline services and its back-end functions." "If the administration is serious about this commitment, there should be no reason to delay the full passage and implementation of the KPA," Imee said. Imee said the funding for the KPA could be included in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP). "We are already a generation behind in digitalization. Delaying the implementation of the KPA further poses a serious threat to our nation's development. We must allocate funding for it without delay," she said. GMA News Online has asked the Presidential Communications Office for comment on the matter, but it has yet to respond as of posting time. Under the proposed measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The measure, however, has faced criticisms from some groups, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). The PCTO had called for a review of the ratified version of the measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), for its part, defended the bill, saying that it would never allow deregulation at the expense of security or public interest. Further, the DICT assured that the measure would not weaken the role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Lawmakers have urged the DICT to begin drafting the measure's implementing rules and regulations. Meanwhile, Imee also agreed with Philtrust Bank Chairman Hermogenes Esperon's observation that the President had missed an opportunity in his last SONA to discuss plans for improving the digital economy. "Esperon is right. It was a missed opportunity to lay out concrete strategies for growing the digital economy, which has the potential to increase government revenue and help address the country's annual budget deficit," she said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
12-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Tech groups throw support for Konektadong Pinoy Act
Technology industry groups are backing the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it can "help close the country's connectivity gap." In a joint statement Saturday, the Global AI Council Philippines, the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, the Data Center Association of the Philippines, the Fintech Philippines Association, and Go Digital Philippines said they support the measure, which is now awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The tech industry groups said the bill would be a 'critical reform that will modernize the Philippines' digital infrastructure.' 'By replacing outdated, analog-era regulations with a forward-looking legal framework, the bill will promote competition, streamline the entry of new players, enable infrastructure sharing, and improve spectrum management," the groups said. "These changes will lower the cost of Internet services, accelerate network rollout, and expand access especially in underserved areas,' they added. The measure, however, has its fair share of critics, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill, also flagging national security issues, as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Dara security Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The tech industry groups, meanwhile, urged Congress 'to exclude any data localization or sovereignty provisions in the final version of the law. Requiring that data be stored or processed only within Philippine territory will drive up business costs, disrupt operations, and limit access to technologies such as cloud computing and Al.' 'This would hurt SMEs, deter investment, and weaken the competitiveness of the Philippine IT-BPM and digital sectors. Data security is not about where data is stored, it is about how it is protected,' they said. 'The Konektadong Pinoy Act has the potential to be a foundation for digital transformation. We look forward to its passage and to working with government to realize a more connected Philippines,' they added. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is also backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PCC backs Konektadong Pinoy Act
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is supporting the enactment into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, ratified by both chambers of Congress and is now awaiting President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s signature, as it will encourage further competition in the country's telecommunications space. 'The PCC believes that incorporating competition principles into the country's digital connectivity framework is essential to improving telecommunications services,' the antitrust-trust body said in a statement. The PCC said the Konektadong Pinoy law is a landmark reform that will help build a more inclusive, competitive, and consumer-centric digital economy, where innovation and accessibility are driven by market competition. The bill, however, is facing criticism from telecoms stakeholders including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). The PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of the measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill also flagging national security issues as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo, in the bill's defense, said provisions of the Konektadong Pinoy Act such as streamlining the approval process for telecommunications providers, promoting open access, and reducing market entry barriers, 'are aligned with the PCC's mandate to foster fair and open markets.' 'By institutionalizing competition in the digital infrastructure sector, the bill can help lower costs, improve service quality, and expand access, especially in underserved areas,' Aguinaldo said. The PCC chief said the bill also reinforces the state's commitment to data inclusivity and consumer welfare by encouraging a more dynamic and responsive telecommunications market. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda earlier defended the bill, noting that it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT chief Aguda defends Konektadong Pinoy Act
There's a high chance of the Konektadong Pinoy Act becoming a law, DICT Henry Aguda told reporters on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Ted Cordero/GMA Integrated News Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which faces opposition from various telecommunications industry stakeholders, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. 'We've already endorsed it, me and Secretary [Arsenio] Balisacan of DEPDev [Department of Economy, Planning, and Development], we're awaiting the schedule on when it will be taken to Malacañang,' Aguda told reporters at an informal briefing in Quezon City on Thursday. 'Mataas ang chance na matutuloy na 'yun [There's a high chance it will become a law],' the DICT chief added. However, he clarified that he does not want to preempt what President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s decision would be. Critics of the Konektadong Pinoy Act include the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill also flagging national security issues as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). Aguda, in the bill's defense, said that 'there's no denying that Konektadong Pinoy will increase competition in the industry… and nobody is going to deny that [increased] competition will be good for the industry.' 'Konektadong Pinoy squarely addresses affordability because the more competition… the public will have more choices, which would bring down prices,' the DICT secretary said. The ICT chief said major telcos would even benefit from increased competition as they could divert revenues from end-users to wholesale as new entrants could tap into their existing internet infrastructure. 'Actually maganda nga 'tong Konektadong Pinoy sa major telcos kasi 'yung mga magtatayo para sa 'middle mile' makikigamit ng kanilang broadband service kasi hindi naman sila magtatayo ng transmission na malaki eh… So malilipat ang revenue nila from retail to maybe wholesale,' Aguda said. (Actually this bill will be good for the major telcos because those putting up the "middle mile" will need to use their broadband service, because they won't be putting up a big their revenue will be transferred from retail to maybe wholesale.) As to concerns on national security and other issues raised by critics of the bill, the DICT secretary said the ICT Department and its attached agency, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), would address it in crafting the measures implementing rules and regulations (IRR) once the bill is signed into law. 'We just have to be very exacting on the specific concerns of the industry. What I was hearing were… one is national security… we hear them and we'll address that with the help of the telcos. Another concern was… spectrum refarming… the NTC will set the specific regulatory [oversight] on frequency allocation,' Aguda said. On PH's dip in Mobile Connectivity Index The DICT chief also emphasized that the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which he said would result in increased competition in the telecoms space, would help in improving the Philippines' ranking in the GSM Association Mobile Connectivity Index. The latest edition of the GSMA's index—which assesses countries' performance on key factors in adopting mobile internet such as infrastructure, affordability, consumer readiness, and content and services— saw the country's score drop by 0.52 to 67.69. Aguda said that 'while this marks a slight decline from the previous year, it serves as a timely reminder of the work that remains in achieving universal, reliable, and affordable digital access for all Filipinos.' 'We see this report not as a setback, but as a guide that reinforces our focus on closing the digital divide, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to have an inclusive and digitally connected Philippines,' he said. The DICT reiterated that the agency is pushing for the passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which he described as a "landmark legislation" that promotes open-access policies, infrastructure sharing among telecommunications providers, and streamlining of permitting processes for broadband rollout. 'By lowering operational barriers and fostering competition, the measure is expected to reduce internet costs by 2028, while accelerating the deployment of high-quality connectivity across urban and rural areas alike,' Aguda said. The ICT Department, he said, is also expanding the Free Wi-Fi for All Program, particularly in remote and underserved communities. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Telecom operators call for review of Konektadong Pinoy Act
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) urged the administration to closely review the measure before signing the bill and to ensure that its implementing rules establish clear, enforceable guardrails are the ones that promote real digital inclusion, ensure national security, and preserve a fair and future-ready industry. The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, is calling for a review of the Konektadong Pinoy Act that was ratified by both chambers of Congress and awaiting the President's signature. The PCTO said, that while it supports the bill's goal of expanding internet access across the country, it warned that the version passed by the bicameral committee could 'lead to national security vulnerabilities, weaken regulatory oversight, and destabilize the telecommunications sector in the long run.' 'We support providing broader connectivity to all Filipinos. However, the bill lowers the bar for accountability and opens the country to risks tied to unregulated infrastructure and potential foreign control,' said Atty. Froilan Castelo, PCTO president and Globe general counsel. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) — a move that removes key filters historically used to evaluate legal, financial, technical, and cybersecurity readiness. 'This creates a two-tier system. Existing players remain subject to full regulation, while new entrants operate with fewer checks. That's a national security concern and a fairness issue,' said Castelo. The PCTO also raised concern about the law's exemption for satellite direct access services from any form of registration or authorization from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) or the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). This stands in contrast to the law's own principle of technology neutrality under Section 19. 'You cannot claim to be technology-neutral and at the same time give one technology a free pass. The provision requiring satellite services to apply for NTC spectrum use was removed in the final version. That opens a dangerous backdoor,' Castelo said. On cybersecurity, the group flagged that the law allows new players a two-year window to comply with national and international security standards. The PCTO believes this delay is unacceptable in today's environment of escalating cyber threats. Another gap in the law is the absence of any requirement for new players to serve geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), according to the group, adding that 'this could incentivize new entrants to focus only on high-density urban areas, leaving rural communities behind.' The telecom operators also noted the risks of rushing legislation without deeper stakeholder review, citing the POGO law as a cautionary example of well-intended but poorly executed policy. 'We've seen what happens when laws are rushed and under-vetted. We cannot afford another case where gaps in the law create bigger problems down the road,' Castelo said. The PCTO urged the administration to closely review the measure before signing the bill and to ensure that its implementing rules establish clear, enforceable guardrails are the ones that promote real digital inclusion, ensure national security, and preserve a fair and future-ready industry. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
