The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) seeks to clarify the role of the competition authority in the re-allocation to various entities of frequencies formerly assigned to ABS-CBN.

The re-allocation of the said frequencies in favor of Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. (AMBS), Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC) is a regulatory function of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). It is not covered by the provisions on merger review under the Philippine Competition Act, and thus need not be notified to the PCC. In the case of AMBS, this limits PCC’s purview until details of AMBS’ acquisition by the Villar Group, including its relation to Streamtech Systems Technologies Inc., are made public.

The PCC recommends amending the rules to include it as approving body in the assignment of vacated or available frequencies. This is a practice done by many jurisdictions across the world, in consideration of the impact on competition of players over scarce public goods like frequencies.

Moreover, PCC supports the passage of the “Open Access in Data Transmission Act” to pave the way for a more transparent and fair spectrum management in the country.

The overarching principle followed by the PCC is to foster a level playing field among new or existing players. The PCC invites the public’s attention to check on the quality and price options available to the viewing public during the tenancy of AMBS, ABC, and SSMC as provisional authority-holders of frequencies previously managed by ABS-CBN.