Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General Jeremiah Belgica. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS OFFICE PHOTO(UPDATED) THE Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has ordered the suspension of Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Jeremiah Belgica and four other officials for alleged irregular issuance of frequencies to a firm as the country's third telecom provider. Aside from Belgica, also placed under a six-month suspension by Ombudsman Samuel Martires last May 24 were ARTA Deputy Director General Eduardo Bringas, Division Chief Sheryl Pura-Sumagui, Director Jedreck Ng and Director Melamy Salvadora-Asperin. What complicated the case is that the frequencies ARTA ordered assigned to NOW had already been allocated to DITO Telecommunity Inc., which has been selected as the third telecom provider. A copy of the suspension order has been sent to the office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea for its immediate implementation.

Source: Manila Times June 06, 2022 12:39 UTC