Just read this article on
Inquirer.net about Globe complaining that the PLDT and Digitel merger would create a monopoly.
PLDT chair Manuel V. Pangilinan on Tuesday hit out at Globe, accusing the Ayala group of monopolistic business practices.
“PLDT is not allowed to install phone services inside malls and real estate developments (owned by the Ayala group), despite the clamor from their tenants,” Pangilinan said, noting that Globe was allowed to offer telecom services in these areas.
The Ayala group, through its Ayala Land unit, is one of the country’s largest property developers. It operates shopping malls in Metro Manila, Cebu and Pampanga.
It's funny how these big companies fight don't they? They talk about the danger of having a monopoly but all these talk are just of course to protect their business interest. In the end, the consumer ends up with the raw end of the deal.
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Monopolies have existed in the Philippines for a long time. In every sector, there's a monopoly. MERALCO for example is a major monopoly. Consumers have no choice on who they want to provide service for their electricity. What happens is MERALCO ends up charging whatever the they want. You can't do anything about it since if you complain or don't pay your bills, they just cut off your electricity.
How about malls? Yes malls like SM and Ayala. SM is the biggest mall monopoly in the country. Think about it, if you have retail business and you want to open a shop, your best bet is to open at an SM mall. If you don't, what are the chances of your business getting the customers you want? Everybody goes to the mall now, nobody goes anywhere else anymore.
Because of this, the business is at the mercy of the malls. If the mall decides they don't want you anymore for any reason whatsoever, you're gone. It could be that they just don't like your face. Granted they probably won't do that, but what's stopping them?
Small businesses tend to die around the area. Traffic is a mess because traffic is re-routed for the benefit of the malls.
Yes, monopolies abound in the Philippines. Too bad no one has any power to do anything about it. It just takes a little money and all the permits are approved to build another mall.
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Comments
They may also be trying to monopolize grocery stores.
I'm hoping that the small sarisari stores and businesses around them will survive. I prefer these small stores than SM. I avoid going SM so I dont have to buy anything there.
Just because it is a regulated company does not make my statement wrong or uneducated. Perhaps you should start paying for your Meralco bills and tell me you won't eventually feel the same way.
Where else do you see charges like "system loss". System loss refers to electricity lost due to pilferage and heat as it passes through transmission and distribution lines.
The Philippines has the world's highest electricity rates. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=660035&publicationSubCategoryId=63
With the Philippines covered all around by water and has rich geothermal resources. Explain to me how we pay the highest electricity rates? Now explain to me how my comments are uneducated.