Telecom giants deny paying off congressmen

Cellular phone giants Globe Telecoms and Smart Communications categorically denied that they had been subjected to any extortion attempt by members of Congress.

The denial comes following claims by House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II and House Senior Deputy Leader Francis Escudero that members of Congress were extorting money from firms to slow down the investigation of the planned 60 percent reduction of free text credit to subscribers.

In a letter, Smart stated that "in response to reports that five congressmen have attempted to extort money from us, we categorically state for the record that Smart Communications has not been subjected to any extortion attempt by members of Congress."

It added that neither has it "made any payments as alleged in the news reports."

In a similar letter, lawyer Rodolfo Salalima of Globe said the company "takes strong exception to the subject news items and we ... deny the same because they are absolutely false."

He said the payoff never took place, and Globe "did not and does not engage in such and kindred activities."

This developed as young members of the House of Representatives calling themselves the Group of 14 supported yesterday the proposed moratorium on legislative investigations.

Speaking for the group, Rep. Gilbert Remulla (LDP, Cavite) told a news conference that they are supporting the moratorium so that accusations that congressmen are shaking down businessmen and private companies through legislative inquiries can be avoided.

Meanwhile, Reps. Jacinto Paras, Prospero Pichay Jr., Eduardo Veloso, Rolex Suplico, and Aniceto Saludo denied having received any money from both Globe and Smart or that they belong to the so-called Gang of 5.

Pichay asked the ethics committee to investigate Gonzales and Escudero for alleged misconduct.

Saludo for his part said that Gonzales and Escudero were in cahoots with the "dirty tricks" operations to prevent him from investigating abuses of telecom firms.

Remulla said people were disheartened with the prolonged inquiries in aid of legislation.

"Maraming nagsasabi sa amin na walang ginagawa ang mga congressmen kundi puro imbestigasyon (Many people are telling us congressmen do nothing but conduct investigations)," he said.

He said the House should conduct inquiries only when there are compelling reasons to do so.

Remulla’s group is composed of House members who are below 35 years of age.

Gonzales and Minority Leader Carlos Padilla have proposed the moratorium in the wake of reports about the alleged extortion activities of a group of congressmen known as the "Gang of 5."

While the Group of 14 expressed support for the proposal, Rep. Oscar Moreno (Lakas, Misamis Oriental) opposed it.

"It would unnecessarily curtail the prerogative of every lawmaker to seek an inquiry either in aid of legislation or to expose shenanigans, and could be interpreted as an abandonment of the congressional power of investigation," Moreno said.

He said the conduct of inquiries is also part of the oversight function of Congress.

However, Moreno, who chairs the economic affairs committee, urged his colleagues to be more judicious and discreet in seeking investigations.

The Group of 14 also issued a statement of concern over reports about the extortion activities of the Gang of 5. Remulla read the statement before reporters.

The young congressmen said what worries them is that the controversy is affecting all House members and the institution itself.

"We are fearful that the public perception unfairly identifies us, as well as other members of the House, with this negative issue…we therefore call upon the House leadership to resolve this at the soonest possible time," they said.

Rep. Ruffy Biazon (LDP, Muntinlupa), a member of the group, said if there is evidence against those involved, the appropriate punishment should be imposed on them.

In a related development, the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino has rejected the offer of Iloilo Representative Suplico to quit the party.

Suplico made the gesture after he was named in media reports as one of the members of the Gang of 5. He has also submitted himself to the jurisdiction of the House ethics committee. – Jess Diaz