DTI backs Daza on cable TV issue, pushes probe

Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza (Lakas, Quezon City) disclosed yesterday that the Department of Trade and Industry has asked the National Telecommunications Commission to look into the brewing feud between local cable television operators and one of the world’s giant cable channel provider.

Daza explained that the DTI move was a welcome development in efforts to resolve the issue that has placed millions of Filipino cable TV subscribers at the mercy of industry giants. She urged both DTI and NTC to "impose the severest punishment" against whichever of the feuding forces is found guilty of erring against the public.

"The DTI action is a welcome relief to cable TV subscribers who have been paying enormous amounts of money to be able to watch shows that are either not or least interrupted by long commercials," she said.

According to Daza the DTI Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulatory Group under Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. has been coordinating with the NTC to prod the agency into opening an investigation into the cable industry controversy.

The Quezon City lawmaker has urged the House committees on transportation and communications, on legislative franchises and on public information to look into the reported "bullying tactics" being applied by Star Group Ltd., a cable channel provider, against two local cable firms.

She accused Star Group Ltd., a cable channel provider, of using comebacking basketball icon Michael Jordan in blackmailing local cable operators and their subscribers into accepting increased subscription rates.

Reports have indicated that Star cut off its feed of 10 popular cable TV channels to sister companies Sky Vision Corp., and Home Cable Inc. allegedly as a result of the local firms’ refusal to pay debts amounting to P160 million.

However, Daza noted that Star’s decision came, abruptly, thus making its move suspicious.

According to the lady lawmaker millions of Filipinos were denied the chance to witness the celebrated return to the hardcourt of Jordan and US baseball’s World Series.