Hello AB-ZTE-FG?

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net

IT started as a joke. But just over the weekend some Filipino activists have started uploading a new mobile phone ring tone as an act of protest against the controversial $329-million national broadband network project.

The ring tone, which is based on a satirical video clip posted on YouTube, pokes fun at some personalities linked to the controversial project, now known as the “ZTE deal.”

Jose De Venecia III, the proponent of losing bidder Amsterdam Holdings Inc. (AHI), has accused Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos of allegedly trying to bribe him to get out of the deal. De Venecia, son of current House Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr., also alleged during a Senate hearing that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo also told him to “back off” from the deal.

The ring tone was uploaded by mobile activist group TXTPower Sunday night on the Internet, according to Anthony Ian Cruz, president of the group, in an e-mail message.

Cruz said the “AB-ZTE-FG” protest ring tone calls on the public to remain vigilant over the $329-million alleged scam involving persons closely linked to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila announced over the weekend that the government was suspending the NBN project, days after the Department of Transportation and Communications along with several Cabinet members defended the project.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, however, said Monday the government is not ready to terminate the deal.

“Let our call for truth and transparency ring across the country,” said Cruz, who also posted links to download the ring tone on his blog.

In 2005, TXTPower popularized the “Hello Garci” ring tone based on the audiotaped telephone conversations allegedly between President Arroyo and then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

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