Eye Opener
Indefinite suspension of ZTE project
What is the difference between suspension and cancellation? A friend jokingly whispered to me, "the difference is the same." Malacañang announced recently the indefinite suspension of the $329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) project with the Chinese firm ZTE Corporation. Senate sources say that many senators want the project canceled outright. GMA and her cabinet secretaries want the project indefinitely suspended. If the project is suspended can it be revived later, say, 6 months or one year when the smoke of the controversy has died down? Webster defined suspension "a state or period of being suspended" or "stoppage of payment of obligations or engagements." Cancel means "to annul or destroy, to revoke or recall."
Let's wait for the final decision on the petition filed by Jose de Venecia III, son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. with the Supreme Court. There is also a case with the high tribunal filed by Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico against Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos on the ZTE project. These twin events need careful monitoring and watching as to whether or not the project needs indefinite suspension or cancellation.
Let's give Pres. Arroyo all the benefits of the doubt in suspending indefinitely the ZTE project. PGMA must have very good reasons why she and the Cabinet officials agreed to the indefinite suspension of the project. First, the reported destabilization rumor among disgruntled military personnel; second, her husband's health condition, and thirdly, she wants probably to stop all unsavory speculations on the controversial project. She desires peace and stability in the country and wishes to pursue the upward swing of the economy that will finally lead to economic prosperity of the nation thus giving more jobs to thousands of jobless countrymen and enough food for the starving poor.
Meanwhile, the Senate investigation on the project will continue and many Senators say that the result of the probe will be an aid to future legislation. With the President declaring an indefinite suspension on the project, will there still be a need of further investigation? It was reported that the Senate Blue Ribbon committee under the chairmanship of the born again Christian Senator Allan Peter Cayetano may still unearth surprise revelations! The Filipino people await with great concern the outcome of the Senate investigation on the multi-million dollar ZTE project.