My boss, Joel Disini, offers his insights

on why Congress should make a move towards opening commercial VoIP to

the general public.  Note that at present, the telcos, those all-too-powerful companies that have the needed

Congressional franchise (oligopoly?) to operate a telecom network, are opposing this.

This is very timely, with the hot issue of the “Wiretapgate” the present Administration

is currently entangled in.  VoIP supposedly offers a more secure

way to communicate, not to mention that it’s dirt cheap.  Joel also writes on

the wiretapping issue, where he muses on the implications of

Malacañang’s securing (and keeping copies of) recordings of the

President’s own conversations.

Come to think of it, aren’t the Palace officials themselves in violation of the anti-wiretapping law? 

The mere possession of copies of recordings or transcripts

thereof–even that of their own (especially if not authorized by both

parties in the conversation)–is a violation of the law.  Is

everyone else with copies liable?  What about the media

networks?  The newspapers (that published excerpts)?  PCIJ?

June 13, 2005 is a special non-working holiday. 

That’s holiday economics at work: (1) if a holiday falls on a weekend

(like the June 12 ‘05 independence day, which is on a Sunday), you move

it to the most adjacent weekday; (2) if a holiday falls on a Thursday,

you declare Friday a holiday too, so you can have a long weekend.

I remember it was previously announced that June 13 was a working day. 

I heard the President’s rating is in the negative thirties at present,

with the “Wiretapgate” thing in the air.  I guess the Palace is trying

to please the people by giving them an extra day for rest.  An extra

day to think of and plan revolt, perhaps?

As for me, I have more productive things to do this long weekend–and

that includes rest (the kids are sick, as am I) and a meaningful

birthday celebration.  After all, June is birthday month for Caren, Pia

and myself (Cate is a January girl).

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