Lance Gokongwei, Digitel director and president of JG Summit Holdings Inc. said in a statement before a Senate hearing that the deal would benefit the public and as such conforms with its franchise terms, which are founded on public service.
With PLDT's reach, fiber optic backbone, and stable network quality, Sun's unlimited service would grow and deliver better service, he said. "This is the greatest benefit of this transaction, and consumer satisfaction from a bigger and quality network is really what our franchises are for," he added.
Pangilinan said Globe Telecom Inc., which is blocking the PLDT-Digitel deal, had lost in its bid to acquire the Sun Cellular operator.
"They seem not to object on the transaction provided they get additional frequency from government. Our position there is we're neutral. If government deems it fit to give them frequency, if that's what they think, then so be it," Pangilinan said.
In a separate statement, Rodolfo Salalima, legal counsel of second-ranked Globe, said the telco expresses its deep concern over the serious adverse effects of the PLDT-Digitel deal on free competition and consumer interests.
"Again, this is monopolistic arrogance rearing its ugly head. The right to access and seek legal relief from the courts or quasi-judicial bodies is a perfect right granted by law. PLDT, thus, is out of tune when it accuses Globe of malice when Globe was simply exercising its legal right in law--to uphold free competition and pro-consumerism," Salalima said.
Besides Ayala-led Globe, Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc., Seland Telecommunications Inc. and consumer group TxtPower have lodged their opposition to the PLDT-Digitel deal.
State-run Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) earlier said the acquisition may hurt competition because of high entry barriers and the absence of effective competition.
