MANILA -- Requirements to participate in the bidding for the third telco slot are being changed, with the selection process expected to finish this week, one of the participants said.

The changes include a manager's cheque requirement for a P700 million "participation security," said Tier1 partner and Millawave president Ed Millana.

There was no immediate comment from Department of Information and Communications Technology officer in charge Eliseo Rio, who is overseeing the selection process.

"Some of our investors, they told us, what's going on here, Gov? What's going on because a lot of changes are going on," Millana said, referring to partner ex-Ilocos Sur Gov Luis "Chavit" Singson of LCS Corp.

Singson said Tier1 would pursue its bid.

On Sunday, the Villar family's Streamtech, which recently secured a franchise from Congress, said it would no longer bid for the third telco slot.

At least 10 firms, including China Telecom, have purchased documents to bid for the chance to challenge PLDT Inc and Globe Telecom.

The National Telecommunications Commission is scheduled to open the bids on Wednesday.

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