Mislatel bid for 3rd telco player aboveboard: Uy

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte applauds after awarding the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Global Excellence Award to Udenna Corporation President Dennis Uy during the concluding ceremonies of the 44th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) at the Manila Hotel in the City of Manila on October 18, 2018. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy on Thursday said the Mislatel consortium did not violate any laws in its successful bid to become the country’s third major telecommunications (telco) player.

Uy gave the assurance during the Senate public services committee’s third hearing on the selection of the new major player.

He owns Udenna Corporation and Chelsea Logistics, which form part of the Mislatel Consortium.

“We want to assure the committee and the public that walang nilabag na kahit anong rules ang Mislatel at gagawin namin ang lahat para protektahan ang interes at seguridad ng Pilipinas (We want to assure the committee and the public that Mislatel did not violate any rules and we will do everything to protect the interest and security of the Philippines),” Uy said.

Uy noted that Mislatel had gone through the process of preparing for the selection process for almost a year, describing the endeavor similar to “passing through the eye of a needle.”

“Kami po ay dumaan ng butas ng karayom hanggang mapili ng National Telecommunications Commission bilang new major player sa telecom sector, (We have passed through the eye of the needle until we were selected by the National Telecommunications Commission as the new major player in the telecom sector),” Uy said.

The Davao tycoon also touted his track record as a businessman of over 20 years who complied with the Philippine Stock Exchange’s “very stringent standards” on public disclosure.

“My companies fully complied with the highest standards of accountability and this is something that we humbly assure this honorable committee,” Uy said.

He said it is high time to provide the country with a cheap, fast, and excellent alternative to the so-called duopoly in telecommunication.

“Humility aside, we don’t want to be just the third telco. We want to be the best telco — a telco that is fast, affordable and most importantly secure,” he said.

“Ang proyektong ito ay dumaan sa pinakamahigpit na pagsusuri (This project underwent rigorous assessment). Let’s work together to achieve a world-class telco to empower Filipinos and build the nation,” he added.

He notified the committee that he will submit an advanced copy of Mislatel’s rollout plan, as well as its cyber security plan.

China Telecom would have a 40-percent stake in Mislatel, Udenna Corp. would take up 35 percent, while its subsidiary, Chelsea Logistics, would have 25 percent.