PCTO Calls For Review Of Konektadong Pinoy Act, Urges Revisions To Safeguard Public Interest And Protect Filipinos

The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country’s leading telcos, is calling for urgent attention to unresolved risks in the Konektadong Pinoy Act—now ratified by both houses of Congress and awaiting the President’s signature.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is the primary sponsor of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, a landmark bill he said will pave the way for a reliable, affordable, and accessible internet connection in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. I Photo: Alan Peter Cayetano

While the PCTO supports the bill’s goal of expanding internet access nationwide, the group warns that the bicameral-approved version could introduce national security vulnerabilities, weaken regulatory oversight, and destabilize the telecommunications sector in the long run.

“We support broader connectivity for all Filipinos. However, the bill lowers the bar for accountability and exposes the country to risks from 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)—removing key safeguards historically used to assess legal, financial, technical, and cybersecurity readiness.

“This creates a two-tier system: existing players remain fully regulated, while new entrants operate with fewer checks. That’s a national security concern and a fairness issue,” Castelo said.

The PCTO also raised concerns about the law’s exemption of 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, the group notes, contradicts the principle of technology neutrality outlined in Section 19 of the same law.

“You cannot claim to be technology-neutral while giving 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 warned.

On cybersecurity, the group flagged the provision granting new players a two-year window to comply with national and international security standards—an allowance PCTO considers unacceptable amid escalating global cyber threats.

Another key concern is the absence of any obligation for new players to serve geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). PCTO fears this could encourage entrants to focus only on high-density urban markets, leaving rural communities behind.

The group also cited the POGO law as a cautionary example of well-intentioned but poorly implemented legislation—underscoring the risks of rushing policies without sufficient stakeholder consultation.

“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 emphasized.

PCTO is urging the administration to carefully review the measure before signing it into law and to ensure that its implementing rules establish clear, enforceable guardrails—ones that promote genuine digital inclusion, protect national security, and preserve a fair, future-ready telecommunications industry.