MANILA, Philippines – Vice presidential candidates offered their solutions to the slow Internet speed plaguing the Philippines.

The candidates were asked how they would fix the problem during the vice presidential debate held on Sunday, April 10, at the University of Santo Tomas.

Liberal Party (LP) bet Leni Robredo said it’s down to improving the regulations of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) by hiking penalties against telecom companies that give less than premium service and allowing more companies to enter the market to create competition.

She also said she and LP standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II would “infuse capital in infrastructure” and put government in charge of infrastructure.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said an independent NTC is fundamental to solving the problem. 

He would also make sure to give franchices to at least 5 Internet providers to ensure there is enough competition. For far-flung or missionary areas, the job to provide Internet access should be given to the government.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, running mate of Rodrigo Duterte, said the problem is that many politicians are beholden to owners of telecom companies, and that these firms influence appointments to regulatory bodies.

“Pag hawak ng telcos sa leeg ang mga pulitiko, wala kayong aasahan kahit anong ganda ng programa,” he said. (If telcos are holding politicians by the neck, don’t expect anything no matter how good the program is.)

He reminded the public of the promise of Duterte not to accept money from persons who hold government contracts, a promise that Cayetano supports “100%.”

Senator Francis Escudero, running mate of independent candidate Grace Poe, said one solution is to streamline infrastructure for Internet and infrastructure for transportation.

 “Kasabay ng paglalatag ng infrastructure at kalye, dapat kasabay na rin ng fiber optic at kable,” he said. (The establishment of infrastructure and roads should be accompanied by the laying down of fiber optics and cables.)

Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr agreed with Robredo that the NTC should be streamlined and that international service providers should be allowed to penetrate the Philippine market.

But he shifted to the offensive when he asked Robredo, “Kung alam ng administrasyon kung ano dapat ang gagawin, anim na taon na, bakit wala pang ginagawa?” (If the administration knows what to do, it’s been 6 years, why has nothing been done?)

Senator Gringo Honasan II, running mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay, also believes allowing foreign players to provide Internet would get the country of its current rut.

“We need to rationalize foreign participation to have competition in speed,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. – Rappler.com