‘Grade school-level’ presentation of telco in franchise hearing an ‘insult’ to Senate panel — Poe
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday criticized the “underwhelming” presentation of a telecommunications company during a franchise hearing, wherein its president is a “no show from start to finish.”
“Nung binigyan natin sila ng pagkakataong mag present, kulang-kulang yung presentation nila… It was so underwhelming, I’m sorry to say, [but] you could have a grade schooler do that presentation,” Poe said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.
(When we gave them a chance to present, their presentation was lacking… it was so underwhelming, I’m sorry to say but you could have a grade schooler do that presentation.)
“I think it’s an insult to the panel. This was how the presentation went: ‘We will be able to provide faster internet, we will be able to cover more people.’ Anybody can say that. But what is your track record, what was your experience in the past? Who’s the person behind this?” she added.
On Monday, company Instant Data Inc. earned the ire of Poe after its president and another official failed to connect to the hearing tackling its franchise application.
“Yung iba naman naka-connect. Makikita naman natin na kung masama ang connection, medyo spotty ang linya. Ito talaga no show from start to finish. Kung yung mga teachers nga nakaka-akyat sa puno para magkaroon ng signal. Hindi ko naman sinasabi na tama yung sitwasyon natin na yung connection natin ay masama. Mali,” Poe went on.
(The other resource persons were able to connect. When the connection is not stable, their line would be spotty, but this official was a no show from start to finish. Even teachers would climb up trees just to get a signal. I’m not saying that the situation we currently have now in terms of bad connection is alright. It’s not.)
“Kaya nga inaasahan natin na yung mga humihingi ng prangkisa ay may kapabilidad na ayusin ang problemang ito,” she added.
(That’s why we are expecting these companies seeking a franchise to have the capability to address this problem.)
Nevertheless, Poe said her panel will still sift through and evaluate the submissions of the telco company but added that the committee will scrutinize its application even more carefully.
“Of course we will give them a chance, baka hindi lang talaga sila sanay na mag-present pero talagang mas kikilatisin natin kasi pwedeng petiks lang yung application nila, we’re talking about a national franchise, it’s not just for one are,” the senator said.
(Of course we will give them chance, maybe they’re just not used to doing presentations but we will really scrutinize because we can’t let their application be approved easily, we’re talking about a national franchise, it’s not just for one are.)
“Ang lakas ng loob naman ng kahit na sinong mag-apply ng national franchise tapos pupunta na hindi naman handa, at hindi pinapaahalagahan ang pagdinig,” she added.
(Any company seeking for a national franchise would really have the guts to go to a hearing unprepared.)
