Malacañang Palace, DICT Welcomes Mislatel Consortium

Malacañang Palace Welcomes Mislatel Consortium, DICT Say There Are No Irregularities In The Bidding Process

MALACAÑANG PALACE – On Thursday (Nov 8), the Malacañang Palace recently welcomed the third telecommunications player in the country.

Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc., an Udenna Group and China Telecom partnership firm, was declared the third telco player by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Mislatel scored 456.80 points on its level of commitment; 172 points for coverage; 111 points for speed; and 175 points for capital expenditure and operations expenditures.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) even said that there was no irregularity in the bidding process. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the people have long waited for a reliable, efficient, and inexpensive telecommunications service. He further added that President Duterte’s strong, political will has laid the foundation of realization.

MALACAÑANG PALACE — The mood in Malacañang Palace the symbol of powerful seat of the Philippine Presidency is the apple of the eye of every Filipino politician especially during national elections. On June 30, 2016 once again the Filipino nation and the palace will witness the transfer of power from President Benigno S. Aquino III to Philippines 16th President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (photo by Richard V. Viñas)
Photo uplifted from: Manila Bulletin

A report in GMA News says that DICT acting secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. refused the accusation by unsuccessful bidders that there are “new rules” implemented at the last minute of the process, saying that the process is fair. Rio further added that it took one year with a public forum and the bidders attended to the said forums.

Rio expressed that they did not do the selection but rather the computer, which determines the highest committed level of service criteria.

As per the report, Dennis Uy from Udenna Group was one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s significant campaign contributors in his presidential race. Uy contributed ₱30 million to Duterte’s campaign in 2016.

Panelo said that Mislatel won over the two other bidders. He added that impositions in favor of the government and the end users have been made such as the requirement of performance bonds to ensure sound performance by the new player. The losing bidders, on the other hand, can appeal their cases before appropriate agencies.

Elsewhere, Infrawatch PH called for the disqualification of the consortium, saying that it is non-operational and has been automatically revoked in 2003 for its failure to join the stock market.

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