In the interest of transparency, we disclose that PLDT and the other relevant parties to the Transactions recently received separate letters from the Commission which essentially stated the Commission’s determination, including the basis thereof, that: (a) with respect to the Vega Transaction, the VTI Notice is deficient and defective in form and substance, therefore, the Vega Transaction is not “deemed approved” by the Commission, and the missing key terms of the transactions are critical since the Commission considers certain agreements as prohibited of illegal; and (b) with respect to the Bow Arken Transaction and the Brightshare Transaction, the compulsory notification under the Circulars do not apply and even assuming the Circulars apply, the Bow Arken Notice and Brightshare Notice are deficient and defective in form and substance.

On June 10, 2016, PLDT submitted its response to the PCC Letter articulating our position that the VTI Notice is adequate, complete, sufficient and compliant with the requirements under the Circulars, and does not contain any false material information, as such; the VTI Transaction enjoys the benefits of Section 23 of the PCA. Therefore, the VTI Transaction is deemed approved and cannot be subject to retroactive review by the Commission. Moreover, the parties have taken all necessary steps to ensure that the VTI Transaction will not substantially prevent, restrict or lessen competition and will not violate the PCA. As we have previously disclosed, each of PLDT and Globe have caused the relevant subsidiaries of the acquired companies (the “Spectrum Holders”) to relinquish certain frequencies in the 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 2500 MHz and 3500 MHz bands and return these to the Government through the National Telecommunications Commission (“NTC”), which, together with the frequencies already held by the NTC, allow for a third party operator to enter the market. PLDT and Globe also agreed to the co-use of certain frequency bands retained by the Spectrum Holders. Both the co-use arrangement between PLDT and Globe and the return of certain frequencies mentioned above were approved by the NTC, which has regulatory and supervisory powers over the parties to the Transactions and with mandate to ensure a healthy competitive environment in the telecommunications industry. In approving the co-use arrangement, the NTC gave effect to the declared national policy that “government shall allocate the spectrum to service providers who will use it efficiently and effectively to meet public demand for telecommunications service” and that government “may avail of new and cost effective technologies in the use of methods for its utilization.” (See R.A. No. 7925, sec. 4(c))

With access to the additional frequencies, particularly the 700 MHz frequency, PLDT will be able to provide faster, reliable, and affordable internet access services for the benefit of its customers and the public at large, as well as attractive mobile connectivity and digital services at affordable prices.

Notwithstanding our belief on the strength and merits of our position that the Transactions are deemed approved and not subject to retroactive review by the Commission, we have, as a gesture of good faith and in the spirit of cooperation, voluntarily submitted to the Commission certain agreements pertaining to the Transactions, for their information and reference, subject to confidentiality.