We, Filipino internet end-users, declare that

the Philippine government has failed to provide adequate protection for Filipino internet users in accordance with their rights as citizens and as consumers;

the government has also failed to define "broadband internet" to guide telecommunications companies (telcos) and internet service providers (ISPs) that purportedly provide such services;

the government's so-called telecom regulator has no presence in social media and only very limited contact points to receive complaints;

that telcos and ISPs have not provided fast, reliable and true broadband internet connections;

the same telcos and ISPs have arbitrarily imposed high prices for slow, unreliable and below-par broadband internet connections, if compared to other countries in the region;

the same telcos and ISPs engage or impose in questionable practices such as data-capping, so-called "burstible speeds", long contract periods, pre-termination fees;

the same telcos and ISPs, as well as government, have failed to provide Filipino internet users sufficient venues for redress of grievances, and inferior customer and technical support; and

that the unfortunate situation should not go unchallenged and should be remedied for the benefit of all internet users -- individuals, families, businesses of all sizes, and government;

hereby call on the Philippine government, especially the National Telecommunications Commission, to:

strike the data cap off the draft "memorandum-circular on minimum broadband speeds"

hold nationwide public consultations and hearings to address problems besetting broadband internet users

define "broadband internet" in all its forms;

impose a basic standard of service reliability of 90 percent and broadband internet speed as advertised on all telcos and ISPs;

provide the public a standard protocol and tool to check compliance by telcos and ISPs;

enforce proper billing and end unfair and anti-consumer practices, especially the so-called data-capping, "burstible speeds", long contract periods and pre-termination fees;

open and maintain social media contact points (including Twitter and Facebook) where the public could file complaints and seek redress of grievances;

check the current infrastructure and development plans of telcos and ISPs; and

review the Public Telecommunications Law and the NTC law.

Initiated by Filipino netizens and drafted by Cocoy, Tonyo, Rom and Noemi.