The ITECC-Legal Cluster lost a valuable member last Monday when Jonathan Domingo (Jed), one of its more active and helpful CO-Chairs of the Consumer Protection resigned. Being the decent fellow that he is, Jed will want to let this slip by and let thing be. However, this website was present at the meeting (the website is worked on 99.98% by its owner, so when the writer says the website went, he means the website really went) and would like to put in some opinions and observations.
- The exit interview should have been conducted properly as some of the other members wished, despite a rushed attempt by Atty JJ Disini to close the session within seconds after Janette Toral read Mr. Jed Domingo's resignation letter. Had he succeeded, the DTI records would not have reflected any of the subject matter discussed. This and other attempts to muzzle Jed were quite obvious.
- Jed's being subjected by the heads of the Legal Cluster to public humiliation for two straight weeks was totally uncalled for, and is an indication of the level of professionalism present in the leadership of that cluster. This is a shame, considering the number of decent, intelligent and committed professionals who are giving 100%, their own precious time as volunteers in an effort to get the many refinements of the e-commerce law sorted out.
- Apparently, Jed sought to clarify the role of the ITECC Legal Cluster, or ITECC in general during an Executive session with Secretary Mar Roxas in attendance. Jed had requested clarification from the Secretary about the handling of the dot PH domain case, and Roxas reportedly stated the need for ITECC assistance, as the DTI may not as familiar with the Internet as the ITECC members are.
- The drama begins to unfold at this stage. This is the point that elicited rage from the Chairperson and her legal counsel. The couple has been trying to drop the hot potato that is the dotPH domain issue and for weeks the Chairman has been claiming that the issue is now with the DTI, and hence, out of her hands and committee. There is even a story that a lawyer challenged the gentle Jed to a fistfight. That is how the arrogance of Marcosian power seems to emanate from someone in that committee.
- Point is that the DTI cannot resolve the issue sans assistance from Ms. Toral's Committee. However, her legal counsel is the brother and lawyer for the owner of the PH Domain. Which left her with a choice: that of doing her job and tackling the issue, or keeping a friendship. Unfortunately for her and her place in Philippine Internet History, she chose the latter. Too bad.

Harassment stories of persons connected with PhilDAC reported. Stories of corporate intrigue to damage hard-earned reputations, vague and direct threats to mediamen, and blatant attempts to get members of the PhilDAC fired from their jobs have been reported more and more frequently. Foul play for sure, but from who? More to follow in a pldt.com exclusive investigative report.

A PROBLEM FOR ALL (SOME COMMON SENSE, PLEASE)
 The .PH problem is a real one for any Philippine business that wants to register a .PH domain name. DotPH can argue on and on about competing with .COM, .TV, and .WHATHAVEYOU, but at the end of the day, you can only get a .PH from one source, DotPH. And right now, they call all the shots and are answerable to nobody. (mr c)

IS MEDIA BAN TO COVER THE DotPH CONTROVERSY CONSTITUTIONAL? email us your views

The PHlot thickens as the ITECC-DTI issues a gag order on media while giving PH Domain complainants a mere two weeks to submit full set of requirements. Well, guess who violated the gag order? Keep tuned. Have you a comment/complaint re the PH Domain?

The Dot.Phoeey Caper. What's the latest? The Philippine Internet community is up in arms over the way the country's domain name is being administered. Here is a powerpoint presentation on what it is all about. Click #'s below to view PPT presentations#1(1.2MB) #2(217kb) #3(108kb) So act like you are involved, feign some concern, or just pretend you care! For more information about this and the movement for a better Internet, send email to el fatso with subject "PHutriska". Earlier story on the Fiasco

DTI-ITECC head totally ignores appeal, slams door on Kaimo, a tired, ailing, and aging webmaster. 4.24.01
Despite our uncharacteristic call for help via the media, the DTI-ITECC-Legal Cluster stood pat on it's two-week deadline for all complaints regarding the dotPH issue. DTI ASEC Ms. Toby Monsod failed to comment on the vital matter of JJ Disini's dual role as counsel to his brother Joel, who owns dotPH, the company in question, and as counsel to ITECC-Legal Cluster Counsel, the body supposed to investigate the dotPH controversy. Another point being raised is how Ms. Janette Torral, a non-lawyer, can be head of the ITECC Legal Cluster. All members of the ITECC-Legal were handpicked by Torral. She has repeatedly defended her appointment of Disini as the official legal advisor, and has been sidestepping any direct requests for her to reevaluate this appointment for months.
 How a government just installed by the Philippine people to restore democracy and basic freedoms can now call for a GAG ORDER may be misunderstood as an indication of the direction we are headed. E.g., where once they had a chance to open up the issue so that all present owners of the PH domain can be given an opportunity to speak out, the government has decided instead to give undue advantage to the owners of the dotPH company.
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DOT.PHoeyyy It turns out that the local distributor of the .ph (for Philippines) domain, a certain Joel Disini, has allegedly been slightly remiss in giving out receipts and has succeeded in antagonizing most everyone on the Internet these days. A jump from P900 to a USD70 (with exchange rate last year of P50:1) for two years has discouraged local users from registering using their own country as the third level domain. If their marketing gurus are to believed, the .ph domain means PHone, and not our beloved banana republic anymore. Angry local users are getting together to complain before the ITECC Legal Cluster. BUT WAIT !! It turns out that a member of the Legal counsel for the ITECC Cluster is no less than Joel's brother, JJ. Great script, cast of thousands. Bring your own popcorn.
FROM May 11 issue
Ain't democracy grand? This guy jailed thousands sans warrants because they did not think the way he and Marcos did. On mere suspicion that they were leftists, thousands were tortured and some disappeared. Even a partygoer who stepped on the wrong pair of shoes in a disco dancefloor was mercilessly killed. Now all the "plotters" - who urged hundreds to riot then abandoned themwere willing to let hundreds that they urged on then deserted are claiming their right to be above the law. They even scream and threaten our police and soldiers for doing their job. After all those years of being above the law, it seems in his mind they still are. As the saying goes, you can buy anything (almost) around here. Even a dispensable buffer mob.
I guess this is a case of the shoe being on the other foot. Only the other foot has never had the experience of putting on a pair of shoes. Whereas some of the more famous "once" wear shoes that have price tags that can pay for a whole months food for a poor family. Ah, but that is another story. We shall see how their well-oiled cheating machinery will fare this May 14. They have the Guns, the Goons and the Gold. We have God and little 'One' Flavier, the Jedi master. The Force be with us then.