SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 

 

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer 

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

**For the month of May 2009**
 

 

**Commission File Number 1-03006**

 

 

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company
(Exact Name of Registrant asSpecified in Its Charter)

 

**Ramon****Cojuangco Building**

**Makati Avenue**

**Makati****City**

**Philippines**

(Address of principal executiveoffices)

 

 

(Indicate by check markwhether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-For Form 40-F.)

 

Form20-F      Ö                                  Form40-F

 

 

(Indicate by check markwhether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant isalso thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

 

Yes                                                        No       Ö

 

 

(If "Yes" ismarked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connectionwith Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________ )
****
 

 

NOTE REGARDINGFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Some information in this report may containforward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S.Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of1934.  We have based these forward-looking statements on our current beliefs,expectations and intentions as to facts, actions and events that will or mayoccur in the future.  Such statements generally are identified byforward-looking words such as “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “estimate,”“expect,” “may,” “will” or other similar words.

A forward-looking statement may include astatement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-lookingstatement.  We have chosen these assumptions or bases in good faith.  Theseforward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions,some of which are beyond our control.  In addition, these forward-lookingstatements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are nota guarantee of future performance.  Actual results may differ materially frominformation contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a numberof factors, including, without limitation, the risk factors set forth in“Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 20-Ffor the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.  You should also keep in mind thatany forward-looking statement made by us in this report or elsewhere speaksonly as at the date on which we made it.  New risks and uncertainties come upfrom time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or howthey may affect us.  We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revisethe statements in this report after the date hereof.  In light of these risksand uncertainties, you should keep in mind that actual results may differmaterially from any forward-looking statement made in this report or elsewhere.

 
 

 

**EXHIBITS**
 

 

 

Exhibit Number

 

Page

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copy of the press release entitled “Consortium to Develop Asia Pacific Gateway Cable System” that we filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1

 

 

 

** **

   

May 26, 2009 

 
 

 

The Philippine Stock Exchange
Disclosure Department

4th Floor PSECentre

Exchange Road, Ortigas Center

Pasig City

 

Attention:        Ms.Janet A. Encarnacion

Head,Disclosure Department

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In compliance withSection 17.1(b) and Section 17.3 of the Securities Regulation Code, we submitherewith a copy of SEC Form 17-C with a copy of a press release attachedthereto entitled “Consortium to Develop Asia Pacific Gateway Cable System”.

 

This shall also serve asthe disclosure letter for the purpose of complying with the PSE RevisedDisclosure Rules.

 

 

Respectfully yours,

 

/s/ Ma. Lourdes C.Rausa-Chan

MA. LOURDES C. RAUSA-CHAN

Corporate Secretary 

 

 

Page 1 of 7

    

Exhibit 1

 

 

 

May 26, 2009 

 

 

SECURITIES &EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Money MarketOperations Department

SEC Building, EDSA

Mandaluyong City

 

Attention         :           DirectorJustina F. Callangan

                                    CorporationsFinance Department

 

Gentlemen:

 

Re       :           PhilippineLong Distance Telephone Company

                        SECRegistration No. PW-55

 

In accordance withSection 17.1 (b) of the Securities Regulation Code, we submit herewith three(3) copies of SEC Form 17-C with a press release issued attached thereto entitled “Consortium toDevelop Asia Pacific Gateway Cable System”.

 

 

Very trulyyours,

 

/s/ Ma. LourdesC. Rausa-Chan

MA. LOURDES C. RAUSA-CHAN

Corporate Secretary 

 

Page 2 of 7

   

Exhibit1

 

SECURITIES ANDEXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

 

SEC FORM 17-C

 

CURRENT REPORTUNDER SECTION 17

OF THESECURITIES REGULATION CODE

AND SRCRULE 17.1

 

 

 

1.                 May 26, 2009

(Date of earliest event reported)

 

2.                 SEC Identification Number  PW-55

 

3.                 BIR Tax Identification No. 000-488-793

 

4.                 PHILIPPINE LONGDISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY                                        

            Exactname of registrant as specified in its charter

 

5.         PHILIPPINES6. _____________ (SEC Use Only)  

           Province, country or otherjurisdiction             Industry Classification Code

           ofIncorporation

 

7.         9th Floor MGO Building

            Legaspicorner dela Rosa Streets, Makati City                                  1200 

     Address of principal office                                                                  PostalCode

 

8.         (632)816-8553                                           

           Registrant's telephone number, including areacode
 

9.         NotApplicable                                                               

            Formername or former address, if changed since last report

 

10.       Securitiesregistered pursuant to Sections 8 and 12 of the SRC

 

            Titleof Each Class                             Number of Shares of Common Stock

          Licensed and Amount of Debt Outstanding

 

 

Page 3 of 7

    

 

Exhibit1

 

11.       Item9 – Other Events

 

 

Attached hereto is apress release entitled“Consortium to Develop Asia Pacific Gateway Cable System”.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

            Pursuantto the requirements of the Securities Regulation Code, the Registrant has dulycaused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereto dulyauthorized.

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE

TELEPHONE COMPANY

 

 

/s/ Ma. Lourdes C. Rausa-Chan

MA. LOURDES C. RAUSA-CHAN

Corporate Secretary

 

 

Date:   May 26, 2009

 

 

 

Page 4 of 7

  

Exhibit 1

**PLDT**

**PRESS RELEASE**

 

 

**Consortium to Develop Asia Pacific Gateway**

**Cable System**

** **

***KUALA LUMPUR******, May 26, 2009*** – A consortium of majortelecommunications companies signed yesterday (May 25) a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) to plan and develop the proposal to build an internationalundersea cable system within the Asia Pacific Region.  

 

These experiencedcarriers, all with a growing and ready customer base in their respectivedomestic markets, include Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan), China Telecom (ChinaMainland), China Unicom (China Mainland), KT Corporation (Korea), NTT Communications (Japan), PLDT (Philippines), Telekom Malaysia (Malaysia) and VNPT (Vietnam).  The proposed undersea cable system will be called the Asia - Pacific Gateway(APG) and it is planned to connect Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, China Mainland, Japan and Korea.

 

The proposed Asia PacificGateway will provide additional capacity for growing demand and an alternative,diverse routing within the region such that it will avoid some of the areasmost prone to seismic activity, conditions which are hazardous to underseacables.  The cable system will span about 8,000km and will use the latest DenseWavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technologies with a minimum designcapacity of 4 Terabit/s.  It is planned to be ready for service in 2011.

 

“The planning andeventual implementation of the new Asia Pacific Gateway project is timely dueto the growing bandwidth demand of PLDT and the other proponents. It is alsointended to meet the requirements for cable route diversity, protection, and toprovide capacity to replace the retiring cables in the region,” said AlejandroCaeg, PLDT First Vice President, International & Carrier Business Group.

 

Page 5 of 7

  The proposedcable system has the potential to provide an alternative route and/orrestoration paths to existing cable systems in the region as it is designed toprovide a high degree of inter-connectivity with existing and planned highbandwidth systems.

 

Exhibit 1

 

The proposed Asia PacificGateway is highlighted in the diagram below.

 

XXX

** **

**About the Asia Pacific Gateway**

 

The proposed AsiaPacific Gateway Cable System will link major economic growth countries in theAsia Pacific region.  It is currently planned to link Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, China Mainland, Japan and Korea.  It will span about 8,000km and will use the latest Dense Wavelength DivisionMultiplexing (DWDM) technologies with a minimum design capacity of 4 Terabit/s.Parties to the Asia Pacific Gateway include Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan), ChinaTelecom (China Mainland), China Unicom (China Mainland), KT Corporation(Korea), NTT Communications (Japan), PLDT (Philippines), Telekom Malaysia(Malaysia) and VNPT (Vietnam).

Page 6 of 7

  ** **

Exhibit 1

**About PLDT**

PLDT is the leading telecommunications serviceprovider in the Philippines. Through its three principal business groups –wireless, fixed line, and information and communications technology – PLDToffers the largest and most diversified range of telecommunications servicesacross the Philippines’ most extensive fiber optic backbone and wireless, fixedline and satellite networks.

PLDT is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange(PSE:TEL) and its American Depositary Shares are listed on the New York StockExchange (NYSE:PHI).  PLDT has one of the largest market capitalizations amongPhilippine-listed companies.

Further information can be obtained by visiting theweb at www.pldt.com.ph.****

** **

**Contact person:**

 

**Sheila Aure**

PLDT 

Senior Manager-CarrierNetwork Manager 

Tel. No.: +63 2 8168119 

Email: smaure@pldt.com.ph

Page 7 of 7

    

 

 

Signatures

 

 

Pursuantto the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant hasduly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE

TELEPHONE COMPANY

 

 

By        :      /s/ Ma. Lourdes C. Rausa-Chan

Name  :     Ma. Lourdes C. Rausa-Chan

Title     :     Senior Vice President, Corporate 

                  Affairs and Legal Services Head

                  and Corporate Secretary 

 

 

 

Date:May 26, 2009