MANILA, Philippines - Executives of giant telecommunication companies received a dressing down on Monday from senators for their failure to implement the new per-pulse rate on mobile phone calls.

"No way! You have to follow," an angry Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile said during a joint public hearing of the Senate committees on trade and commerce, and public services,

"Kung hindi kayo susunod (If you continue to defy the government) and I'm still in Congress, I will see to it that you'll get excess profit tax," said Enrile, who is seeking a re-election next year.

A memorandum circular was issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) last July, mandating a per-pulse billing starting December 6.

But appearing at the hearing, Roy Ibay, Smart Communications? regulatory affairs senior manager, pointed out the absence of the implementing rules and regulations to implement the order.

Ibay also pointed out a provision in the circular where the choice whether or not to avail a per-minute or per pulse are left to subscribers.

At present, subscribers have to dial a prefix number--*232 for globe and *5433 for smart- to avail the per-pulse rate.

Ibay said it would take them another two months to come up with software to implement the new per-pulse rate without dialing the prefix numbers.

"The problem with your position, you want the government to follow what you want and not the other way around. You have to follow, you are not to be followed," said Enrile.

Senator Mar Roxas, chairman of the trade committee, also expressed disappointment at telecom companies' non-compliance to the order.

"Sa totoo lang, nakakainis. Binobola nyo na ang Senado (It?s frustrating. You are already trying to fool the Senate)," said Roxas, when a Globe representative was asked about the total revenue of the company.