MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said the government may look at other potential third major telecommunication player if Mislatel Consortium is declared ineligible as its franchise is “deemed revoked.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the remark after the issue on Mislatel’s franchise was raised during a Senate public services committee hearing on the third telco player.
Mislatel supposedly violated conditions of its franchise when it failed to operate a year after it was granted the license in 1998, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon argued.
READ: Drilon: Mislatel franchise considered revoked for violating conditions
“Kung walang franchise, how can they operate? Eh ‘di we will look for another company that has a franchise,” Panelo said during a Palace press briefing.
“‘Di ba marami namang nag-bid? So I suppose we can always go, or these losing bidders can come in in the event of the default of the winning bidder,” he added.
However, Panelo noted Mislatel, which has been chosen as the country’s third telecommunication player, has already refuted the issue hounding the validity of its license.
“What I know about that is they had an explanation for that eh. The lawyer of that company issued a press statement, I don’t remember now but they are disputing that claim,” he said.
Mislatel, which includes China Telecommunications Corp., Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp., and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp., beat two other bidders during the selection process. /kga
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