Group asks Malacañang, Congress to “intervene”
Texters ask: Are Globe, Smart implementing text-reduction scheme?

September 7, 2001

THE BROAD network TXTPOWER today said that it has received numerous complaints regarding “mysteriously disappearing free text credits” from disgruntled subscribers of Globe, Smart and Piltel Talk ‘n Text.

“Subscribers are noticing free text credits doing a ‘disappearing act’ even without being used up. We’ve gotten the similar complaints from all over. They fear that the oligopolies are already implementing the text cuts,” said TXTPOWER Spokesperson Anthony Ian Cruz.

“We hope some government agency would take the cudgels for subscribers since the National Telecommunications Commission has rendered itself spineless by unilaterally declaring text messaging as a deregulated service. At the least, there must be an investigation into the case of disappearing free text credits,” Cruz said.

“Perhaps, it is time for Malacañang and Congress to intervene in defense of consumers,” said Cruz.

“As subscribers, we are also taxpayers. We pay taxes for every call and text message that we make. The least the government should do is to protect us from abuse and compel the oligopolies to provide us the services they advertise,” he explained.

Cruz said that it is now preparing for upcoming hearings to be called by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

At the same time, Cruz announced that TXTPOWER will hold a public forum-symposium on the text issue on Sept. 17 and a Grand Eye Ball on Sept. 20, the day when the temporary restraining order finally lapses.

“Whatever happens on our before Sept. 20, especially when the oligopolies continue with their much-assailed and unjustified plan to reduce free text messages, we will hold the government entire accountable,” said Cruz.