President Rodrigo Duterte said he would ask the Bureau of Internal Revenue to audit the two giant telecommunication firms, Globe and Smart, for demanding numerous conditions for a third telecom provider in the country.
The President’s directive came in the wake of complaints against the two telecom firms, PLDT-Smart Communications of Manuel V. Pangilinan and Globe Telecom of the Ayala Group for their failure to upgrade their services.
Millions of Filipino mobile users had complained of poor phone service and slow Internet speeds being provided by the two telcos.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar earlier said a third player will increase the competition and end the two-player competition or “duopoly.”
Duterte said he would ask the BIR to look into the book of accounts of the two telecoms if they are complying with the agency’s tax regulations.
“To these telecommunication firms, I don’t want to crow, they have too many demands. But I had a warning for these people dito sa telcom. Sabi ko sa kanila, just send them this message: “Do not—f….- this government.”
“Don’t threaten me with filing of cases. Maya-maya magdating ‘yang BIR and start to audit you during the first year of your business,” Duterte said.
Duterte has instructed two executive agencies to ensure that a third telecom provider will be up and running by the first quarter of 2018.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the president has directed the the Department of Information and Communications Technology and National Telecommunications Commission to approve all applications and licenses within seven days upon submission.
“If it is not approved within seven days, it is deemed approved. That’s how serious the president is on the entry of a third telecoms player,” Roque added.