Roxas files resolution for ZTE deal cancellation

Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II has introduced a resolution urging President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to cancel the Philippine government's National Broadband Network (NBN) project with China's Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corp., radio dzMM reported Monday. The report quoted Roxas as saying that the $329.4-million deal "was driven by supply and not by demand" and will not benefit Filipinos. The senator also reportedly said the cancellation of the deal would not affect the relationship of the Philippines with China. On Saturday, President Arroyo indefinitely suspended the deal amid allegations that the NBN project was riddled with anomalies. However, lawmakers such as Senate President Manuel Villar Jr and senators Rodolfo Biazon and Panfilo Lacson are baffled by the suspension order. The Supreme Court has already suspended the deal on September 11 through a temporary restraining order. The deal is not yet ready for implementation because it does not have a loan and executive agreements yet. Sergio Apostol, the chief legal adviser of President Arroyo, earlier told media that deal's suspension was "just temporary." He said that if the Supreme Court rules that deal is valid, the government would implement the project. - GMANews.TV