IS it true that TV network GMA 7 lost almost P50 million in earnings or potential revenues because it failed to include leading presidential candidate Bong Bong Marcos in the recent ‘Presidential Interviews’ program hosted by veteran host Jessica Soho?

This corner received information there were pledges for the program that were withdrawn following the show that ran without Marcos who, according to latest surveys, is favored by more Filipinos to be their next leader.

Owing to Marcos’ spectacular showing in the surveys, the entire country hoped to hear him reveal his opinion on many pressing issues — something that might have pushed some of the big sponsors to support the program.

But as fate would have it, Marcos did not participate in the show allegedly to the great dismay of the sponsors.

It appears Marcos is not the big loser in the outcome of the controversial TV program but the network.

Meanwhile, a source said competitors of GMA 7 are now in pursuit of Marcos’ attendance in their respective upcoming presidential debate or interview programs.

They are now even asking the Marcos camp what conditions – platforms and formats — are required to make the top presidential bet accept their invitations for the shows.

This brings us to the assumption that Marcos rejected Soho’s program not because she’s ‘biased’ but due to the platform or format of the show which was probably not so much inviting for him.

Needless to say, the network who wins Marcos appearance will get the highest rating and probably the most sponsorhips.

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I don’t agree with Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Jeremiah Belgica that the government has delivered its promise of faster internet connection for Filipinos.

This column should have been completed earlier if this were the case.

Slow internet connection gets in the way each time I write my piece so I can say there’s no improvement in telco services.

But Belgica believes the whole-of-government approach of simplifying the process of putting up telecommunications infrastructure facilitated improvements in the speed of fixed broadband and mobile data in the country.

This, as Ookla reported that the country’s mobile internet download speed increased to 19.20 megabits per second (Mbps) in December last year from 18.68 Mbps in November, while fixed broadband download speed improved to 50.26 Mbps from 46.44 Mbps in the same period.

“It is with great pride that we recognize the collaborative efforts of the telecommunication sector and our government agencies in continuously providing streamlined guidelines for the issuance of permits, licenses, and certificates for the construction of Shared Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure (PTTIs),” Belgica said.

Last month, ARTA along with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, and other key agencies issued a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on pole, fiber ducts, and cable laying.

This was the third JMC of ARTA related to the telecommunications sector, which aims to simplify processes in the government in terms of giving permits and licenses for telco infrastructure throughout the country.

“The steady increase in internet speed continues to boost the competitiveness of our country in our regional and global community. I believe that by the end of the term of this Administration, the President would have fulfilled his promise to the people of a better and faster internet connection and services,” the ARTA chief added.

He also emphasized the need for the country for better and faster internet connection, especially in the far-flung areas, amid the pandemic.

“The upward trend of the connectivity coincides with the growing demand for faster internet activity among the Filipinos in the new normal as most of our transactions nowadays are done online,” Belgica said.

He said ARTA will continue to step up its efforts and will push for innovation to improve the government’s way of doing business with the transacting public.

Oh yeah.

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