Gordon chides NTC over lax consumer protection vs telcos

Senator Richard J. Gordon today chided the National Telecommunications Commission for being remiss in its duty to protect mobile phone subscribers against certain procedures and other promos offered by telecommunications companies (telcos).

The Senate on Tuesday conducted an inquiry on Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile's complaint about the mysterious disappearance of his cellphone load, apparently due to ring tones he has been receiving without his consent. Enrile said he has been receiving the same complaints from other prepaid mobile phone subscribers.

Gordon said that it is the duty of the NTC to protect cellphone subscribers and ensure reliable, affordable and viable infrastructure and services in information and communications technology that is accessible to all.

"The real issue here is, what is the NTC doing to protect the consumers against promos that eat up their cellphone load without their knowledge? It appears that the NTC is not able to regulate the services of the telcos," he said.

The senator explained that the NTC is supposed to address the concerns of the consumers, and if there is something wrong with the law that governs their mandate, the agency should take the initiative to solve the matter by seeking the help of legislators.

"The NTC should be pro-active because it has to protect the public. If there is something wrong wit the law itself, the NTC should take the initiative to make it effective, otherwise, that would be tantamount to nonfeasance," said Gordon, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee.