House minority bloc bats for stiff penalty vs telcos for slow Internet

The minority bloc in the House of Representatives yesterday batted for the swift passage of a bill that would impose a P2 million per day penalty against telecommunications firms ignoring public demands for better Internet and telecommunications services.

Led by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, the opposition group in the chamber also declared that they will vote against the proposed extension of the legislative franchise of Smart

Telecoms and Globe, the country’s telecommunications duopoly.

At the same time, Reps. Alfredo Garbin (AKO Bicol Partylist) and Eugene Michael De Vera (ABS Partylist) said that a third player in the industry could guarantee better services that the two current players have consistently denied the public.

However, Garbin aired serious doubts that the third player could participate considering that there are no longer available telecoms frequencies available.

Villar joining telco trade The House Committee on Legislative Franchise is currently deliberating on the application of Streamtech Systems Technology for legislative franchise as embodied in House Bill 3118.

Romblon Rep. Emmanuel Madrona, principal author of HB 3118, said Streamtech, reportedly owned by former Senator Manny Villar, “seeks to do its share to improve the telecommunications industry’s capacity to promote the common good and serve the general public.”

“With its financial and technical resources, the company seeks to establish an international gateway facility, provide broadband service, and set up public data networks,” Madrona said.

In a press conference, Suarez, together with Senior Deputy Minority Leader Lito Atienza, noted that in 20 years since Smart and Globe were granted legislative franchises, many House resolutions and bills have been filed seeking to inquire into or propose amendments to the franchises granted by Congress all because of the public grievances aired against their unsatisfactory services.

“What makes this situation even more egregious is these telco companies have the guts to religiously charge its customers, both postpaid and prepaid, despite the lack of acceptable level of service,” said Suarez in a press statement.

To prod the two telco giants to improve their services, Atienza said the minority bloc will support House Bill 3996 filed by 1Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero.

The bill proposes to amend Section 21 of the Commonwealth Act No. 146, otherwise known as the Public Service Act, to protect public welfare and stop the country’s telcos from shortchanging their clients.

Under the bill, the imposable penalty will be increased from 1200 to 12 million daily for violation or failure of a telco to comply with the terms and conditions set by the National Telecommunications in order to ensure efficient Internet and telecommunications services paid for by their customers.

Romero said it is high time Section 21 of the Commonwealth Act No. 146, otherwise known as the Public Service Act, be amended to protect the public welfare and stop the country’s telcos from shortchanging their clients, now probably half of the country’s population.