The government will no longer impose a deadline regarding the entry of the third telecommunications player in the Philippines, Malacañang said on Thursday.

This, after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the deadline for the submission of bids for the third telco player was again moved.

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Sought for comment, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the postponement was a “reality” that could not be avoided.

“Wala na po siyang (Duterte) deadline na si-net basta deadline niya March, [but] it was not met then [so] as soon as possible [na lang],” he said.

(There is no more deadline set by Duterte. His deadline was actually March but it was not met so it has just become “as soon as possible.”)

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier said he wanted a new telecommunications company operating by March 2018.

READ: Duterte wants 3rd telco player in PH ‘up and about’ by Q1 2018

He earlier rejected the request of the DICT to extend the deadline in the selection of the third telco but was eventually moved to May before it was again move to either the end of June or July.

READ: 3rd telco firm in PH ‘physically impossible’ by March – Roque

“Whether or not he’s [Duterte] happy, that’s the reality. What can he do? At least he prompted that actual steps be undertaken leading to the announcement in June,” Roque said.

“Had he not exercise the political will we would still have bickering from the two duopoly and machinations and orchestrations against the third telecom,” he added.

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The two telco companies in the country, PLDT/Smart Communications and Globe, have been blamed for the slow and expensive internet and mobile phone services in the Philippines. /jpv

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