While the headlines are all about impeachment, another fight is quietly taking place, one that will affect how we live, work, and learn for years to come.
It’s the fight over the Konektadong Pinoy Bill.
This bill aims to open up our internet market to more players and more technology. It’s not just about faster Wi-Fi. It’s about giving ordinary Filipinos real choices, lower prices, and better service.
Right now, our internet is controlled by a few big telcos. If you want to start your own internet service, whether through fiber, satellite, or a small community network, you have to go through the same long, political process as a legacy telecom company. That can take years. Many simply give up.
The Konektadong Pinoy Bill changes that. It separates “data transmission” (internet services) from “telecommunications” (traditional phone services). If you meet the rules, you can register and start operating within months, not years.
For rural areas, far-flung islands, and underserved towns, this is huge. It means new internet options can appear without waiting for the big telcos to decide it’s profitable to serve them.
What the Telcos Say
- The big players don’t like it. They argue:
- It could weaken government control over critical infrastructure.
- Registration is too easy. They want a long “authorization” process.
- Publishing spectrum allocations could risk national security.
- Satellite companies might get an unfair advantage.
- The government may have less power during emergencies if there’s no local infrastructure to take over.
Some of these points are worth discussing. Security and reliability matter. But most concerns are already covered by existing laws like the Data Privacy Act and Cybercrime Prevention Act. The government can still vet and monitor operators. Sensitive frequencies can stay secret. Emergency powers remain intact.
The real issue? Long delays and high barriers help the incumbents and keep prices high.
Why This Bill Matters
- It closes the connectivity gap. Many communities remain offline because building towers and fiber there is costly. Satellites and community networks can fill that gap quickly.
- It boosts competition. More players mean better service and lower prices.
- It builds resilience. Multiple providers reduce the risk of total blackout during disasters.
- It encourages innovation. Specialized networks for schools, hospitals, or local industries become possible.
This isn’t about punishing big telcos. It’s about giving Filipinos better choices. In a healthy market, everyone, old and new players, should compete on service quality, not on how well they can block others.
The Real Choice
If the President vetoes this bill, we keep the same slow, costly, and unequal internet. If he signs it, we can finally start breaking the monopoly grip and move toward a faster, fairer, more connected Philippines.
The impeachment saga will pass. But the internet we have or don’t have will shape our future.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about cables, towers, or satellites. It’s about giving every Filipino the right to connect, compete, and dream without being held hostage by slow speeds and sky-high bills.
Sign the bill, and we move forward. Kill it, and we stay stuck.
