Ombudsman Slams Telcos, NTC Over Slow Internet Speeds in Philippines

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Saturday criticized telecommunications companies over persistent internet connectivity issues in the country while accusing the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of inaction. “Ang ating internet talaga ngayon, ang ating data, nakakaawa ang Pilipinas,” Remulla said on his radio program. (Our internet and data today—the Philippines is really in a pitiful state.) “Ang private sector corruption hindi puwedeng balewalain ‘yan kasi mas malaki ‘yan sa buhay natin. Itong buhay ng mga telco, ‘yung internet nilang babagal-bagal, puputol-putol. Walang ginagawa ang NTC. Wala talaga. Para silang empleyado ng mga telco,” he added. (Private sector corruption cannot be ignored because it is bigger than our lives. Look at how these telcos operate—their internet service is slow and intermittent. The NTC is doing nothing. Absolutely nothing. They are like employees of the telcos.) GMA News Online has reached out to the NTC, Globe Telecom, PLDT, and Converge for their side on the matter. Remulla’s statement came ahead of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27. In his 2025 SONA, Marcos reiterated his desire for a country with stronger internet connectivity. — Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA News