ACTING Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. has assured President Rodrigo Duterte that the third telecommunications provider would be operational by the middle of 2019 to break the duopoly of PLDT Incorporated and Globe Telecom Incorporated.

Rio also assured that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) “can answer all the concerns” raised in another case filed over the selection of the New Major Player (NMP) in telecommunications.

Rio made the assurance after President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated during the Usman situation briefing in Pili, Camarines Sur on Saturday, January 5, that he does not want the judiciary to interfere in project implementation by issuing any injunction against any government project.

“Hindi na namin pinapansin ‘to, Sir (We are ignoring this, Sir). We’re sure it will not really prosper. We can answer all their concerns in court,” Rio told the President, referring to a new case filed over the NMP selection process.

Mislatel Consortium, declared as the New Major Player, is currently undergoing post-qualification. It has 90 days to comply with all the post-qualification requirements.