The Philippine Communications and Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to exercise caution before signing the proposed “Konektadong Pinoy Bill” into law, warning that the measure in its current form could undermine the very goals it seeks to achieve.
While acknowledging the bill’s intent to expand internet access nationwide, the PCTO said it could inadvertently weaken infrastructure investment, create an uneven regulatory playing field, and destabilize the country’s digital ecosystem. The group stressed the bill’s potential to favor new, unregulated market entrants at the expense of long-term infrastructure builders.
“This is not about resisting reform,” the PCTO said in a statement. “We welcome competition, but real competition means equal rules for all players and smart safeguards for consumers.”
The group warned that allowing a new class of providers to operate without the burden of legislative franchises, infrastructure obligations, or strict compliance could deter investment and raise red flags for both local and international stakeholders. These providers, the PCTO said, would not bear the same responsibilities as the established telcos, particularly in maintaining infrastructure and ensuring reliable service.
Highlighting that small-scale providers often rely on the networks built by franchised telecom companies without sharing infrastructure costs, the PCTO cautioned this could lead to “ruinous competition” and an unstable market – especially in underserved areas.
PCTO further flagged concerns over the bill’s allowance for foreign satellite companies to deliver services directly to Filipino communities without local regulatory oversight, calling it an unprecedented and risky departure from global norms.
“The bill doesn’t fix an uneven system; it creates another ‘only in the Philippines’ model,” the group stated. “We support reform, but it must strengthen—not weaken—our infrastructure, resilience, and sovereignty.”
In closing, the PCTO urged President Marcos and lawmakers to fully consider the commercial and national implications of the bill. “We remain open to collaboration with Congress and stakeholders to get this right,” the group said.
