Revo-lutions are made of these

Concerned rank and file employees of government-owned RPN 9 are bothered over the controversial ownership of a Toyota Revo by the RPN Employees Union (RPNEU) president. According to our broadcast Spy-ring, the union president started driving the brand new vehicle sometime in December at the height of CBA negotiations between the union and management. When asked about it, the union leader reportedly said it was his brother’s. However, documents obtained by employees revealed that the Revo was purchased under the name of RPN’s general manager. Curiouser and curiouser. Employees again asked the union president about the ownership of the car and were told this time that it was a personal transaction between him and the GM. Employees have tried to call the attention of the higher ups about the issue but to no avail. What also gets their goat is the fact that the company, which has been sequestered for a long time, entered into an agreement with another company that would have supposedly given the cash-strapped TV station a guaranteed P5-M in revenue. The union president reportedly sold the idea to the employees, who now believe they’ve been had once again. Employees are also disheartened at the long-overdue privatization that had been promised by virtually every new management. In fact, a former NTC chief and now a current congressman has been pushing for the sale of RPN 9, calling the company a "non-performing asset."

Calling Adboard on Pacific Internet’s false promo

Many surfers have been complaining about being victimized twice by Pacific Internet’s promo on its E-Volve Internet card. Eye-spy Elvis reported that the card sells for P100 allowing nine hours of Internet usage. More appealing, it offers FREE unlimited surfing hours from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. for the period March 1 to June 30, 2004. This guarantee is clearly printed on the pack. Elvis has been using it for four months because the card vendor assured him that it is being honored even though the promo date has passed. It was only the last two purchased internet cards that gave him problems. When Elvis asked what went wrong with the first card last month, he was told that he registered the card at 6 p.m. and registered the "off-peak" free surfing at 1 a.m. Pacific explained this made it fall on the next date, making it invalid. However, the second card, which Elvis bought over the weekend was also problematic. When he registered it 1 a.m. to avail of the "off-peak" free surfing, he discovered the User ID and Password were invalid in the domain. Elvis called Customer Service to report the problem and was unceremoniously informed that that the ISP no longer honored the promo. Why then are they still selling the promo card in the market? Adboard and DTI’s Consumer Welfare office should investigate this clear violation of truth in advertising.

Fire safety underscored

Fire Prevention Month is long over, but the Bureau of Fire Protection should be relentless in inspecting hotels, inns and other commercial establishments like malls and restaurants, as underscored by a recent directive issued by DILG Secretary Angie Reyes. There is real need for vigilance against fires, especially during this very hot summer month. The 1996 Ozone Disco fire and the 2001 Manor Hotel fire which killed several foreigners are still considered two of the worst fires in the country. More than 4,000 cases of structural fires were reported last year, which accounted for more than half of the total number of cases reported which include forest fires, garbage fires, vehicular and chemical fires and others. It can also be recalled that a recent eight-hour blaze in a one-star hotel in Paris, France killed 21 people including 10 children and injured more than 50 others. Undersecretary for Peace and Order and Public Safety Marius Corpus who had been tasked to oversee Reyes’ directive had said they are doubling their efforts to protect people from unnecessary conflagrations. In that vein, any establishment found to be deficient on fire safety measures should be made to close shop until they can ensure the safety of their customers. At the same time, building inspectors found conniving with owners should also be placed on the hot seat for endangering people’s lives.

Tap dancing, this ain’t

Due to increasing incidences of dropped calls, reliable sources have informed the Spy-ring that a lot of phones are being tapped nowadays. Logically, the only ones capable of doing so are the telcos themselves and the PNP. An indication that you’re being tapped is when you hear an echo during a call. If you hear a double echo, then your phone and the other party on the line are being tapped. If you are a potential terrorist, then only Uncle Sam has the capability to snoop mostly through their satellite technology.

Spy tidbiz: See you soon, Captain America

Although gone, but not forgotten: US Navy reservist Capt. Dennis Williams recently completed three years of mobilization duty here working in public affairs programs with the US Embassy, DND and AFP. In his extra time he helped launch a new RP-based NGO. The Captain plans to have periodic trips back to RP to continue supporting numerous programs in private and public sectors for improving the well being of Filipinos, even as he returns to his 20-year-old consulting practice for strategic sales, marketing and communications. For those who miss the Captain and did not have the chance to say goodbye, you may email him at: [email protected]. Fair winds and following seas, mate!

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