Do we like them?

Do we like PLDT?

The Philippines' largest telecom: fixed-line, broadband and mobile (via Smart), plus data centres and the Maya fintech stake. Based in Manil

Our score: 5 out of 10. A dominant, mostly steady telco with real network and service-quality complaints and fresh regulator fines. It's not a villain, but not a clear favourite for our money.

PLDT is the Philippines' biggest telecom group. Pangilinan joined as President and CEO in 1998, after First Pacific, which he founded, bought in. Inquirer reported that Pangilinan handed the CEO job to his deputy Alfredo Panlilio.

In 2026 the regulator got tough. The NTC issued Smart a show-cause order with a daily P100,000 fine until service quality is revalidated. Telcos, through their industry chamber, said they were denied due process and that fines divert money from network upgrades.

On privacy, hackers took over PLDT's customer-service Twitter account in 2020. The National Privacy Commission later closed the case. It said PLDT had notified affected people and put fixes in place.

Business-wise it is steady. Record 2025 revenues, but net income fell 7%, and competition is stiff. We'd call it a solid utility-like firm with service gripes, so a middling score.