Gordon chides NTC over lax consumer protection vs. telcos.

Senator Richard J. Gordon yesterday chided the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) 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 cell phone load, apparently due to ring tones he had 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 cell phone 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 that consumer against promos that eat up their cell phone load without their knowledge? It appears that the NTC is not able to regulate the services of the telcos,” he said. The NTC is now headed by Commissioner Ruel Canovas.

The senator explained that the NTC is supposed to address the concerns of the consumers.

--By. Rolly Carandang – Tempo