|
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Espinoza: Manna from heaven
By Elias L. Espinoza
TIMING. The Office of the Ombudsman’s filing of malversation charges against Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez and her son Bogo Mayor Celestino III over the use of Girls Scout of the Philippines (GSP) funds is a good indication that there are no sacred cows in the government.
The timing, however, makes one suspect that the charges could be politically motivated. Martinez was the only Cebuano legislator who voted for the impeachment of President Arroyo. She also supported the opposition’s claim that Arroyo cheated in the last elections.
It may be recalled that the alleged misuse of P26.5 million in GSP funds happened before the May 2004 elections. Perhaps, the Office of the Ombudsman had been so busy with other important cases that it took them long to finish the investigation on the matter.
Being an independent body, the Office of the Ombudsman can act on its own without the intervention of other government offices, particularly the Office of the President. Besides, Ombudsman Director Virginia Santiago can’t be dictated on how she does her work.
Martinez, who joined the opposition and turned the table against Arroyo, must have been aware of the possible consequences of her acts. She has only herself to blame, though.
The GSP controversy against Martinez surfaced before the 2004 polls. The investigation showed that Martinez deposited in her personal account some P26 million of her Priority Development Assistance Fund.
However, the silence of the Martinezes on the issue should not be construed as an admission. Martinez and her lawyers are probably still mapping out their defenses.
FILE. The complaint that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is set to file against Smart Telecommunications is a step in the right direction. This could humble the giant telecommunications companies that are sending unsolicited ring tones or logos to subscribers.
The complaint of Marin Alvares that was filed with the NTC here sets the tone for other cell phone subscribers to file the same complaint. I suppose this is also the first time that the NTC acted on this kind of complaint against a giant telecommunications firm.
Sad to say, I am also a victim of unsolicited downloads that I have not requested. This is just one of the problems that most cell phone subscribers have experienced.
In my case, the amount charged to my account is not so big. However, as a matter of principle, I simply can’t accept it. I had to talk with almost everyone at Smart just to stop the firm from sending unsolicited downloads to my phone.
NTC’s memorandum circular 03-03-2005 prohibits the sending of advertisements, broadcasts and other form of information to the subscribers without their consent.
This memorandum circular is perhaps the reason that Smart’s recent broadcast to my number came with a note that it is free of charge. Still, the information violates the NTC memorandum, if strictly followed.
The NTC memorandum is like a manna from heaven. It gives relief to millions of cell phone users who have been pestered with unsolicited advertisements and downloads that are charged to the subscribers.
There are other problems that NTC can do to help the cell phone subscribers. One of the problems is the unceremonious cutting of the lines of postpaid subscribers, without ample notice.
You know, this is one of the problems that develop when the utility services are run by two or few telecommunication companies, or when there is less competition among the providers.
To set a precedent, the NTC should file the complaint and Alvares should not buckle down to pressures or offers of settlement.
(September 20, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
