Public Interest Groups Weigh in on Telco Deal

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Public interest groups weigh in on telco deal and calls on new government regulator to review impact on consumers. 

The biggest telecommunications acquisition in the country draws deep concern as consumer welfare and public interest groups demand transparency after the telecom duopoly sought shelter in the courts from review by the country’s independent anti-trust body. 

In a forum organized by the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) and the Philippine chapter of Internet Society (ISOC PH), and hosted by the Ateneo School of Government (AsoG), groups said the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) should both take a closer look at the acquisition of assets involving the 700Mhz frequency band. 

ASoG Dean Ron Mendoza said there needs to be evidence-based discussions between the public and private sector to improve the competition environment in the country citing the merger as an important first-test case for the Competition Law of the country. The independent anti-trust body is currently reviewing the P69-billion sale of Vega Telecoms, San Miguel Corporation’s telecom business, to Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc. 

The two firms have brought the matter before the Court of Appeals. The appellate court’s 6 th division earlier denied Globe's petition to stop the PCC review. “We want a more competitive telecom industry so that Filipinos enjoy innovative and fast and reliable internet services at affordable prices and high network quality.” said Grace Mirandilla-Santos, an independent researcher specializing in telecommunications. 

The Role of Civil Society and ASEAN Bodies in Achieving a People-Centered ASEAN

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The final day of the ACSC/APF 2016 examined the progress and efficacy of ASEAN and its mechanisms in achieving a people-centered community.

H.E. Mr. Xanana Gusmao, Minister of Strategic Investment in Timor-Leste, engaging participants in an open dialogue, commented on the historical importance of ASEAN as a people’s movement, stating: “When Timor-Leste was suffering and the rest of the world had forsaken it, international civil society, ASEAN civil society, stood with us.”

Minister Gusmao also discussed the ongoing need for civil society to monitor and restrain the actions of the state, keeping the state accountable. To this end, he said, “We must celebrate the success of ASEAN…but we must have a growing sense of solidarity and plan of action for the future.”

Minister Gusmao concluded his address with a request for solidarity from ASEAN civil society, once again, in checking the actions of government. “I ask of you one last thing. The Timorlese have a final struggle to achieve our sovereignty. Determining our maritime boundaries is a matter of sovereignty. It is the final step in our struggle. We fought for sovereignty over our land, and now we are fighting for sovereignty over our seas.”

WWE Returns to the Philippines on September 9 at SM MOA Arena

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Sports entertainment brand World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) returns to the Philippines for their only Southeast Asia event this 2016!

This is happening on September 9, 2016 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City. The door opens at 8 pm. Get to see all the action up close, or depending on which seats you can afford. It will surely be different when we watch it LIVE instead of from a TV or from a computer!

Who could best represent the WWE franchise but their biggest fighter. He was one of the hulking giants of the wrestling community, and you can't imagine the memories that was brought back after his appearance in Manila. It actually gave me goosebumps when I've heard of his upcoming visit but unfortunately I was scheduled somewhere else during his scheduled appearance and meet-up with media.

‪Dubbed as the World's Largest Athlete, specifically of Wrestling, Paul Donald Wright Jr. aka "The ‪Big Show"‬ visited Manila last July 26, 2016 at the SM MOA Music Hall for a press conference and meet and greet with fans. Hosting was Eric "Eruption" Tai who said the event was "electrifying and ecstatic."

The venue that night was jam-packed with fans, especially the Gen X generation, who can't help but reminisce their childhood watching him and his WWE colleagues fight it out on the ring. The fights were controversially seen as highly rigged and fake, but still it never stopped fans from watching the awesome spectacle as huge guys fought like crazy. It was entertainment to the max if you want adrenaline-pumping action, but would seem so violent for the faint of heart.