Our Technologically-Challenged Politicians...
Sunday, February 26, 2006 ADVERTISEMENTS
Captain's Log Supplemental Stardate -317155.37
This article of the Daily Tribune clearly shows how technologically-challenged our politicians are. Here's the article:
Senators’ mobile phones ‘blocked’ amid Edsa rally
(taken from Daily Tribune)
Communication lines were suddenly cut off early afternoon yesterday, while anti-riot police were slugging it out with protesters and members of various militant groups along Edsa.
Prime movers in the political opposition realized this, that they were practically “muzzled” for unknown reasons, at a time when they wanted to endlessly use their mobile phone units, a period when they found the country under virtual martial rule.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. got suspicious when he saw his cellphone registering the notice “sending failed” as he sent out a common text message to colleagues, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Sergio Osmeña III, Luisa “Loi” Ejercito Estrada, Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan and Senate President Franklin Drilon.
“I was telling them that we should consider calling for an emergency session of the Senate. I was expecting their response but when I have not been receiving any, after sending out a text message to them minutes after, I checked my phone and there I saw it didn’t reach them. I tried calling them and still, I couldn’t get through,” Pimentel told the Tribune in an interview.
The senator who was then out in the streets of Makati City preparing himself for the start of the activities he was slated to join, was prompted to borrow the mobile phone of his media relations officer, Omeng Manlangit, but found out that the situation was the same.
Pimentel also realized that his phone had not been ringing for quite sometime and he discovered he was “barred” from receiving and making calls.
Both who are using “line phones” or post-paid units under subscription of Smart Communications could not ascertain the problem as even the senator’s security aides were also rendered “incommunicado.”
Pimentel was prompted to buy temporary SIM cards and then tried to send again the same text message to his colleagues.
To be doubly sure, he decided to call one of them and there, he realized that even the cellphone of his fellow senators were experiencing the same “phenomenon.”
Not all of them are subscribers of Smart, others are known to be using the services of Globe or both.
It was then that it dawned on them that they were obviously being prevented from talking to each other, a situation which Pimentel said is a clear violation of civil rights.
“This is (virtual) martial law. They are trying to curtail freedom of the press and expression, which means that pretty soon, members of the media would be gagged (by this administration). That’s for sure,” he said.
“Even we senators, we cannot communicate with one another,” Pimentel stressed, adding there is reason to believe that this unprecedented incident was deliberate as communication lines of notable personalities and their known supporters were left “cut off.”
A telecommunications industry insider, when asked on the possibility of charges made by Pimentel, said unless the unit “hanged” or suffered a technical glitch, the problem described by the senator could arise or it could be that the post-paid line had been suspended because of unpaid accounts.
The source admitted there is indeed an encrypted program that mobile companies can gain access and allow them to suspend the use of the phone along with its features without the owner knowing it.
Pimentel, in his message to colleagues, suggested that Drilon should order the convening of emergency meeting late afternoon yesterday or even in the evening to challenge President Arroyo’s assault on civil liberties of the people.
“They are pushing the people to precipitate revolution. The people are merely gathering to commemorate the Edsa people power I but they (Malacañang) opted to declare a state of emergency to prevent the holding of rallies, to justify the order prohibiting the holding of rallies.This should not have happened had they allowed the activities to go on as planned by various groups. Angie M. Rosales
Earth to Pimentel... Calling Sen. Pimentel... Please respond... A simple "message sending failed" is already a virtual martial law for Pimentel? Give me a break! Try buying a prepaid SUN Cellular SIM Card and tell me if wouldn't experience your so-called virtual martial law everyday, every hour, every minute.
Pimentel's experience IS normal since his friendly gov't destablizers have caused lots of noise causing people to send a stampede-like text messages that may have clogged the telecoms' network.
A clear indication that OLDIES in our government should be removed.
*Computer end log*
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We should also remove mainstream media oldies who amplify the ignorance of government oldies.
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