Palace: Third player role open to other foreign telcos if China balks at PHL deal

Other foreign firms will have the chance to become the third telecommunications player in the Philippines if China and the Chinese corporation involved will balk at the deal, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte offered the slot to China during his bilateral meeting with Premier Li Keqiang.

“But as I said, if for any reason, China Telecoms or any company nominated by the Chinese government finds the 60-40 requirement in the Constitution to be unacceptable, then of course, that will give us now the option to offer it to other companies,” Roque said.

China has nominated China Telecoms for this agreement.

“But there are no indications that Chinese… China Telecom does not want to push through with the project,” Roque said. 

“But unless it’s actually up and going, I guess there is always a possibility that others may be involved if for any reason China Telecoms or China decides not to push through with their commitment ‘no, to start a third telecoms company,” he added.

Duterte had previously indicated that he wanted the Chinese telecommunications provider to be “up and about” in the first quarter of 2018. —NB, GMA News