Press Release
October 4, 2007

ROXAS: WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER NBN PROJECT
CALLS EXECUTIVE TO DISCLOSE PLANS AFTER JUNKING ZTE DEAL

enator Mar Roxas called on the executive branch to elaborate on its position on whether to continue its National Broadband Network project, after the cancellation of its contract with China's ZTE Corp.

He however maintained that a broadband project was not among the priorities that the people needed. "We don't need another broadband deal. Government just needs to serve our people well and do things right," Roxas said.

"Perception of hunger among Filipinos is at its peak. International perception over corruption in the Philippines has worsened, with our ranking falling from 121st out of 180 most corrupt nations to 131st in the world," he pointed out.

The senator said he is in favor of continuing the probe on the ZTE deal. According to Roxas, the trade committee would like to consult with technology experts on the design, specific components, and expenditures related to ZTE's proposal.

"Cancellation is good but it's not synonymous to absolution of perceived sins," the senator stressed.

"We need to make sure that this controversy sheds light on how government does its projects so that this politico-diplomatic fiasco won't happen again," he said.

However, the Department of Transportation and Communications and ZTE Corp. wrote the Senate blue ribbon committee to request that the annexes pertaining to the broadband's structural design only be discussed in executive session.

"As co-chair, I am very much against this request. The people's right to information on how the government had intended and still intends to use public funds is of paramount interest. I hope that this matter can be resolved at the soonest possible time by the Senate," the senator said.

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