Julius Espat Says BTL Merger Could Help or Hurt PUP

Infrastructure Minister Julius Espat is also acknowledging the political stakes tied to the proposed BTL‑Speednet merger, saying the fallout could either work in the PUP’s favor, or seriously backfire. While some believe the issue could deepen divisions within the party, Espat stops short of that assessment. Instead, he says getting it right on such a major national matter comes down to one thing: open and meaningful public consultation before any final decision is made.

 

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing

“You should be in cabinet one of these days and then I will ask you. It is a difficult position to be put in. it is not easy for anybody. We have our opinions in Cabinet that we share quite frankly and those are Cabinet discussions and decisions under our laws that we should not be speaking publicly about what we say in Cabinet. But there is opposition to the concept and BTL feels strongly that it is a good thing. I think more consultation is required so that other people are convinced either way. Just like this beautiful building we see here, the design of it, the concept is to ventilate issues so that people can be aware. I think that is important. If you have a concern let us have more consultation, let us sit with the people and convince them. When you get a presentation like the one we got, it is very positive. You look at all the positive aspects, but then you walk outside and hear the noise and say why are people clamoring is the concept is so good. Well, lets look at the other side, let us listen to the other side, that way people can be convinced. Politically we could come out of this in a positive or negative. It is how you convince people. How does a politician win, by putting in the work and convincing people his leadership and ideas as positive. He gains traction with that concept. If the politician does not do that then the opposite happens. We face that possibility.”

 

Espat says how the BTL‑Speednet merger ultimately plays out, politically and nationally, depends on whether leaders take the time to fully consult the public and honestly address the concerns being raised.