Sen. Mar Roxas blogs, for real

Abe Olandres August 2, 2008 · 1 min read

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Yesterday on a round-table discussion with bloggers, Sen. Mar Roxas announced that he start blogging himself. This time, it’s for real. Likewise, he’s bringing his campaign for the suspension of VAT on oil (Senate Bill 1962) online.

The Fuel Price Protest, an initiative to suspend the VAT on the ever-increasing oil prices. This is complemented by a website called Virtual Rally where people can sign up, select an avatar and join the rally in a virtual EDSA against oil price hikes.

In a welcome entry in his new blog, the senator invites people to share their views with him and spends the rest talking about how our taxes (i.e. VAT) should be spent.

The race to reach as many Filipino people online before the 2010 elections has already started. There are close 9 million Filipinos abroad and a sizable percentage of them are voters that can only be reached thru the internet.

We’ve seen this happening in the current US presidential elections. Whether this trend will be adopted and be as effective on this side of the globe is something we’ve yet to see in the next 2 years.

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Abe Olandres

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Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

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41 Comments

willard “Money Making ideas” · 17 years ago

So the blog site of sen. Roxas is virtual rally right? Nice theme.. :)

Vicente C Alano · 17 years ago

Sir, why up to now there is no law for the ban of plastics here in the Philippines. Other countries like Israel, Canada, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Taiwan and Singapore is moving to ban plastics.

Ogre · 18 years ago

The fact that knows what blogs are/can do is a significant leap from the traditional trapo. I guess that’ll move, if not nudge, some of the IT guys to favor him instead of those who still solely rely on traditional media to get the word around. A recognition of the dawn of the information age, so to speak.

As to: “Weâ€™ve seen this happening in the current US presidential elections. Whether this trend will be adopted and be as effective on this side of the globe is something weâ€™ve yet to see in the next 2 years.” – this will subsequently be a phenomenon that will change politics. In the Philippines, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 18 years ago

@MarcVill – Sen. Kiko Pangilinan tapped bloggers during his Luzon Caravan last year.

http://www.yugatech.com/blog/pinoy-bloggers/dont-think-were-cut-for-this/

Gee Please · 18 years ago

Go Mr.Palengke! Gamitin mo si Korina to promote your Blog… JK!

Marcvill · 18 years ago

Other than Sen. Mar Roxas, are there other senators out there who are tapping the blogosphere as a means of reaching the people online? Is Mar Roxas the first ba?

@Kevin Ray N. Chua: There will certainly be a second time. I’m getting the impression that the Office of Mar Roxas is planning to do this discussion with bloggers thingie on a regular basis. You’ll be in the second batch I hope :)

Kevin Ray N. Chua · 18 years ago

@Ederic – hahahaha! di nga ako nakasama. sayang! pero it’s a good start naman for Senator Mar and he can now be able to spread his advocacies online with the help of bloggers.

Goe D · 18 years ago

Ibalik si erap, lol. Mamumura and gas! Di kase marunong ng math, jk lol!

jepoy · 18 years ago

My vote goes to Sonny Belmonte (if he decides to run as president) and if not, it goes to Mar Roxas :)

me · 18 years ago

may tama ka jan brian! kahit naman sino manalo wala din, lahat nmn papogi n ngayon kc malapit na 2010.

BrianB · 18 years ago

I just hope there is less cheating on 2010. Who wins, I don’t much care. Just look how GMA blindsided us all. Who’d’ve thunk?

Ederic · 18 years ago

Bakit di n’yo kasama si Kevin Ray? Mar should’ve flown his number one online crusader to Manila.

noemi · 18 years ago

but the votes still belong to the masa who have no online access.

GM Tristan · 18 years ago

I can see the value of what the good senator is doing. Not online does he do it via the fastest growing medium, the Web. But he’s also reaching out to people to educate them on his platform(s). Good job!

Jan Alvin · 18 years ago

hehehe, yari siya kay Chiz Escudero pag nagsimula na rin siyang mag blog. hahahaha malalamangan nanaman siya nun.

the jester-in-exile · 18 years ago

it will be interesting how blogging will affect the local political landscape, among other things.

issai · 18 years ago

in the US, Obama has an edge because he is technologically aware. he knows how to use the media and the internet for his benefit. and thanks to the internet, a lot of the younger voters got interested in politics. that’s just my opinion, i’m pretty sure a large portion of people here just got sick of republicans.

maybe mr. roxas can get the younger people interested in politics again.