The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has dealt another blow to NOW Group of Companies over its attempt to keep its radio frequencies, which are facing the prospect of being recalled.
ARTA also denied with finality the motions seeking to reverse its ruling on June 17, 2022, which vacated its earlier resolution and order of automatic approval of extension of cellular mobile telephone service provisional authority (PA) and the assignment of frequencies for effectual use by NOW Telecom Company Inc.
Earlier, ARTA also denied with finality the appeal of NOW Telecom affiliate, News and Entertainment Network (Newsnet), to reverse its previous ruling setting aside the firm’s declaration of completeness and order of automatic approval.
In a resolution dated Aug. 22, 2022, ARTA ruled that “there being no cogent reason to reverse its Resolution dated 17 June 2022, and for being moot, NOW Telecom Company Inc.’s Ex Abudanti Ad Cautelam Motion for Reconsideration dated 4 July 2022 and the Manifestation and Motion dated 6 August 2022 are hereby denied.”
ARTA, in denying NOW Telecom’s appeal, cited the July 9, 2021, resolution of the Secretary of Justice (SOJ) in OSJ Case No. 01-2020 declaring that the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, on automatic approval do not apply to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), which handles the PA applications of both NOW Telecom and Newsnet.
