Press Release
June 21, 2007

Statement of Sen. Mar Roxas on Missing Broadband Agreement

The alleged loss of the signed agreements between the Philippines and China on the national broadband project is a colossal embarrassment for the country. Signed bilateral agreements which signify solemn accords between two sovereign nations are presumed to be locked and sealed.

DOTC officials must explain the circumstances behind this loss, and explain why its theft was only publicly announced yesterday, and by an assistant secretary only, in a forum organized by civil society and members of the academe. Had there been no such forum, would this theft have been publicly disclosed?

Was the President officially informed about the missing documents?

Given the alleged theft of the DOTCs copies, can we now rely on the Department of Foreign Affairs to affirm their possession of official copies of the signed agreements?

Every international agreement signed by the President must be lodged with the Department of Foreign Affairs which is the premiere department tasked with promoting our countrys bilateral and multilateral ties.

In view of the many questions surrounding this controversial project, it is about time that we open this agreement to public scrutiny.

It is also of great import that a national consensus be obtained on the priority status obviously given to this broadband project and whether plans for its implementation are indeed credible and aboveboard.

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