NTC exec takes a phone call during Poe’s question at virtual Senate hearing

While Senate hearings have allowed a combination of physical and online participation since May, bloopers from senators and resource speakers remain inevitable.

On Wednesday, National Telecommunications Commission Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios answered a phone call without muting his mic, and could be heard talking while Senate committee on public services chairperson Grace Poe was asking a question.

Poe was interpellating Cabarios about internet speed.

"One of the other issues that have been brought up time and again is the problem with cell towers, am I correct?" Poe asked.

But Cabarios did not seem to hear the query and continued his phone conversation.

"Sumasagot po ako sa Senate na kasi tumawag po si DICT, hinahanap na raw. Speed ho, speed," the NTC official told his caller.

"Sir, you're still on the line. Mr. Cabarios?" Poe said while laughing.

"Sige na nga di bale na... di bale na lang," she added and moved on to asking other resource persons.

WATCH: Senator Grace Poe’s question during a “hybrid” hearing was left hanging after an NTC exec answered a phone call without putting his mic on mute. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/nOM24UczCG

— Dona Magsino (@donamagsino) July 1, 2020

During the same hearing, Cabarios said the NTC plans to set a minimum internet speed requirement from service providers.

Ironically, due to problematic internet connection and audio, the said hearing on connectivity has been suspended.

"This is the worst, actually... Comedy of errors na talaga natin ito eh. Lumalabas ang sintomas ng talagang sakit na dapat nating gamutin," Poe said.

"I think that this will be part of the committee report, how in the Senate itself we are experiencing some challenges with this new way of conducting our hearing," she added. — BM, GMA News