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As the election campaign kicks off
last week, politicians reaching out to voters have begun. This is
not only through traditional campaigns, but also online. As promised
last month, here are some of the developments shaping up online with
the start of the campaign season.
Last Tuesday, I was able
to participate in Yehey.com’s Brewing Point live chat with Chiz
Escudero (http://www.chizescudero.com). In my knowledge, Escudero
can be considered as the first politician to use live chat in
launching an election campaign. It is convenient to be able to ask
straight questions such as his perspective on antidynasty,
impeachment, and Charter change should he win as a senator. Our
transcript can also be found at http://ituloy–angsulong.blogspot.com/2007/02/will-you-vote-chiz-escudero-for-senator.html
The
Brotherhood of Destiny or BROOD also sent a newsletter announcing
their creation of a database that will contain basic information of
candidates from senators and party-list. They also intend to include
congressional, mayoralty and vice-mayoralty candidates in every
province of the Philippines. I’m not sure how far will this effort
go but you can monitor and even contribute if interested at http://www.broodonline.com
The Simbahang
Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible
Voting (PPCRV) launched a political education advocacy: The Pinoy
Voters Academy (http://www.slb.ph). It seeks to encourage
prospective voters to move into action by knowing the realities that
affect them and to meet the challenges of democratization—in
particular, through their right to vote. They have a session
happening this March 3.
Blogger Jorge
Casgayon created a blog (http://farfromneutral.com/exodus/the-usual-suspects/)
and provided links to candidates that will allow everyone to monitor
news developments. This includes link to Google search engine
results, Google blog search, Technorati and Icerocket blog searches.
Some blogs
worth checking out to get a pulse on local election perspectives
include http://schumey.blogspot.com/ and
http://www.halalan-2007.blogspot.com/.
Early this
year, I also posted a blog entry asking people what they think of
Richard Gomez running for Senator. A friend of mine is related to
him and seeking for perspective. Today, that old blog post regularly
receives comments especially from those who dislike the actor. He is
now also referred to “Ritsard” and someone even created a blog
whose intent is to put the actor and campaign against him at http://richardgomezsucks.blogspot.com
Another publication just
started an election podcast featuring various candidates, campaign
ads being uploaded in YouTube, among others. For sure, this election
is going to be heavily documented online.
More updates
on this next month.
You can
read more from Janette Toral at http://www.janettetoral.com
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