In March, PLDT-Smart announced its plan to buy Digitel Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (DTPI), the company that operates Sun Cellular. Claims NTC Heads for a Possible Approval of the Acquisition
The Samahan Laban sa Monopolyo (SLaM), a consumer group urges the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct an investigation on the acquisition of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. of Digitel Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (DTPI), a Gokonwei-owned company.
Under the Executive Order 45 of President Benigno Aquino III, Secretary Leila de Lima of the DOJ was assigned as the competition authority of the country. The task of the Office of Competition is to prevent cartels and monopolies as well as protect consumers from offensive business practices.
According to Jess Sandow, covenor of SLaM, their group is requesting De Lima to investigate on the possible approval of the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) of the acquisition Sun Celluar by PLDT-Smart. The NTC is scheduled to hold a hearing next week and the SLaM is worried that NTC will approve the franchise.
SLaM is hoping that the economy would be protected with the aggression of “monopolistic greed among businessmen” through the EO 45.
The group also initiated an online campaign to encourage the Congress to probe on the deal. Based on the online petition, SLaM said that they are requesting regulators of the government and the Congress to look into the deal as well as its effects thoroughly. SLaM said that consumers could not afford to be locked in on limited service products or be left with no choice.
Earlier, Globe Telecom has called on the government to intercede in the planned acquisition. Globe said that such acquisition would pave way to the return of monopoly in the telecommunications industry.
On the other hand, Malacañang said that the acquisition issue is being conferred in larger groups.
In a senate inquiry about the deal, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said that Globe is only sour-graping. Enrile added that the issue is a circumstance “when a loser is complaining against the winner.”
By Catherine Libardo
June 20, 2011
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