Palace calms senators’ fears on Chinese telecom

Malacañang said the government is aware of possible threats to the country's cybersecurity once China Telecom officially becomes the country’s third telecommunications player.

Some senators had been worried over the government's decision to allow a state-run Chinese company to set up a telecommunications company in the country.

Their concerns were allayed by Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is taking the necessary steps to ensure the country's cybersecurity.

"So other than the fact that we will take steps to protect our cybersecurity with the entry of China Telecoms, I can’t say anything else," Roque said.

On Tuesday, Duterte ordered the DICT and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to see to it that China Telecom is "up and about" before the end of the first quarter of 2018.

The agencies were also directed to "approve all applications and licenses within seven days only upon complete submission of requirements; and if it is not approved within seven days, it is deemed approved."

Malacañang earlier said the entry of the Chinese telecom is aimed to break the telecommunications duopoly.

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said in his Twitter account that improving the telecommunications service should not be a choice between breaking the duopoly and risking national security.

Senator Franklin Drilon also advised the government to exercise caution on security, noting that Chinese companies are state-owned.

The entry of China into telecommunications started when Duterte offered the third slot telecom to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during their meeting in Malacañang last month.

Given the short period Duterte gave, Roque said China Telecom should partner with a Philippine corporation with an existing telecommunications franchise since foreign companies are limited to 40 percent ownership.