Chiz Escudero kicks off Senate bid via Internet

In a bid to reach as wider audience as possible without entailing transportation costs, opposition senatorial contender Francis Escudero launched his official website on Tuesday and had a chat for about an hour with journalists and Filipinos abroad using live Internet technology. This was the same campaign strategy successfully utilized by US Senator Hillary Clinton for her senatorial bid in the 2000 elections, which she is also using for her presidential bid in November this year. "The Internet is the best way to reach people outside the country and share ideas with them in real time," Escudero said in a statement to launch his official website www.chizescudero.com and www.friendster.com/chizescudero. "Through his technology, I hope to hear what is on their minds. I am ready to answer questions they raise and explain my stand on issues relevant to my candidacy," he explained. Escudero is the first Filipino senatorial candidate to use the Internet to explain his platform of government. He had a chat with media representatives and Filipinos in the US, Hongkong and Middle East via Yehey.com's Online Brewing Point, using a webcam that enhanced the interaction. Escudero said this was his way of interacting with overseas Filipinos and reach out to about half a million absentee voters, mostly overseas contract workers. He said most of the questions thrown at him during the "online press conference" centered on his agenda once he gets elected to the Senate. Escudero is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition that has an alliance with the United Opposition. He filed his certificate of candidacy on January 30, accompanied by his wife, Christine, and actress Susan Roces. A three-term congressman representing Sorsogon, Escudero promises to be the voice of the people in the Senate and push for housing, livelihood, education, health care, human rights, environment, and uphold the law. Escudero was among six out of the 12 senatorial candidates of the opposition who topped the recent nationwide survey conducted by the research group IBON Foundation in January. Aside from Escudero, the other top six Senate runners are former senator Loren Legarda, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, re-electionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. and Sen. Francis Panglinan. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV