Escudero, Trillanes kick off campaign on Internet

(UPDATE) In a bid to reach as wide an audience as possible at minimum costs, two opposition candidates for the Senate kicked off their campaign Tuesday using the Internet. On the first day of the 90-day campaign period, opposition senatorial contender Francis Escudero launched his official website and had a chat for about an hour with journalists in Manila and Filipinos in the US, Middle East and Hong Kong, using live Internet technology. Detained Navy Senior Grade Lieutenant Antonio Trillanes IV, also running for the a seat in the Senate under the United Opposition banner, posted his “eight-point vision" in his Friendster account at www.friendster.com/trillanes. His supporters also maintain a blog at www. friendsoftrillanes.blogspot.com. This was similar to the 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 Pangilinan. When he filed his certificate of candidacy on February 6, Trillanes was upbeat about his chances to secure a Senate seat despite his incarceration for his role in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny. Trillanes has been detained at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. "I have many supporters, we will launch a proxy campaign all over the country," Trillanes said. “We will maximize technology – TV, radio, print, text (SMS) and the Internet." His Friendster site posted his eight-point vision: namely, lasting peace and prosperity; free, educated and responsible Filipino citizenry; sovereign republic; a democratic government; governance guided by social equity; an efficient and professional bureaucracy of honest, humble, competent and hardworking public servants; public policy based on national interest; and national interest based on public welfare. His friends have also resorted to the modern technology to boost his campaign. "The Filipino people deserve a better life. Let us unite and save our country from despair. With one voice, let us support change. Support Trillanes…Support Magdalo…Little things bound together can be the tipping force for change," the group of military personnel said in its blog www.magdaloparasapagbabago.blogspot.com. The group has also started recruiting members for its "volunteer brigade" through the site. Those interested to help in the campaign have to sign a membership form "Kaisa ni Trillanes at ng Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago" through the blog site. "Join our volunteer brigade. Sign up and be counted!" the group said. The site also contained Trillanes' biodata, his proposed legislative agenda and research works – including a thesis at the University of the Philippines entitled "Corruption in the Philippine Navy Procurement System." Officials said Trillanes would not be allowed to get out of his detention cell to campaign as this would be in violation of the existing rules on the confinement of officers and men. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV