METRO Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is looking at the possibility of teaming up with San Miguel Corp. for the operations and maintenance contract of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3).

MPIC Chairman and President Manuel Pangilinan told reporters that they would be joining an auction after the Transportation department declined an earlier unsolicited offer.

"With regards to the bidding for MRT 3, we probably would participate in that," he said.

"I guess it depends eventually on the terms of reference for the bid that the government will draft. In principle, because we submitted an unsolicited proposal and the government has decided to bid it out, we will likely participate depending on the terms."

Asked about a tie-up with San Miguel, Pangilinan said, "I think it might be good for us to reach out to them and see what we can do as there are ongoing discussions in other areas with them in terms of partnerships. It is indeed a possibility."

In rejecting the unsolicited proposal, the Transportation department said it wanted to secure more offers from the private sector for MRT 3.

An invitation to bid could be announced later this year, officials said.