Month: January 2016

Bam Seeks to Strengthen Islamic Banking in PH

Habang wala pa ang BBL, tuloy ang pagtulong natin sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim.
 
A senator has filed a measure to strengthen the country’s Islamic banking system to give Filipino-Muslim entrepreneurs access to financing and other services that are compliant with the principles Shari’ah or Islamic law, while the much debated Bangsamoro Basic Law is still being deliberated.
 
Sen. Bam Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 3150 or the Philippine Islamic Financing Act of 2016 seeks to amend the charter of the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines, the only Islamic Bank in the country established in 1973.
 
“It seeks to strengthen the Al-Amanah Bank to provide a broader market, while promoting both the establishment of other Islamic banks and engagement in Islamic banking arrangements by conventional banks under the supervision and regulation of the BSP,” Sen. Bam said.
 
At present, Sen. Bam said Muslim banking and finance applies principles based on the Shari’ah Law, where the kind of banking and financing operations is characterized by risk-sharing and equitable distribution of wealth.
 
“Undertaking or financing of anti-social and unethical business, and the setting of interest or a fixed pre-determined rate of return are prohibited,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
 
With this, Islamic banking and finance in the Philippines is limited by three major challenges, such as lack of clear and regulatory framework, lack or scarcity of experts on Islamic banking and finance, and lack or very low investor awareness and acceptance of Islamic banking and finance.
 
These challenges prevent the country from enjoying the vast growth of Islamic banking worldwide, which increases by 21 percent despite the existing global context.
 
“Currently, there are more than 600 Islamic financial institutions operating in more than 75 countries and almost all major multinational banks offer Islamic financial institutions,” Sen. Bam said.
 
Sen. Bam said the measure will help address these challenges and provide Muslim entrepreneurs an environment where they can thrive and prosper through his measure.
 
“Accompanied by other critical inclusive financial reforms and innovations, this bill seeks to ensure the development of MSMEs not only in our major urban centers but also in the poorest and hardest to reach areas,” the senator said.
 
“It also seeks to ensure that every Filipino, regardless of status, identity or religion has access to critical services to enable them to seize economic opportunities and be part of the country’s progress,” he added.
 
The bill amends the charter of the Al-Amanah Bank, providing for the organization and regulation of an expanded Islamic banking system in the Philippines.
 
The proposed measure further mandates government to provide programs for increased consumer awareness and capacity building required by the expanded Islamic banking system.

Bam: Open Gov’t Offices to all Filipinos

Government shouldn’t discriminate. Its doors should be open to all Filipinos, rich or poor.
 
A senator wants all government agencies to eliminate dress code to allow more Filipinos to avail of services and allow them to participate in assemblies concerning their welfare, especially in legislative hearings and sessions.
 
In his Senate Bill No. 3089 or the Philippine Government Agency Open Door Act of 2015, Sen. Bam Aquino stressed that every Filipino should be permitted to participate in assemblies that affect them and their community, particularly legislative hearings and sessions.
 
“All Filipinos must be granted access to frontline services, especially from public offices,” he said.
 
However, needless dress code policies serve as barriers to many of our marginalized Filipinos and those from indigenous groups as they seek to become more participative and rightfully demand services.
 
“How can they raise their voice when they’re standing in the heat and behind cold walls? These are the countrymen we are called to serve,” said Sen. Bam, adding that it’s time to open government offices and be more considerate of our policies for all Filipinos, regardless of economic status.
 
The Philippine Government Agency Open Door Act of 2015 aims to mandate all government offices to accept entry to all Filipinos and to eliminate the dress code some agencies that are following.
 
“We are called to open the doors to those that have the least in our society, those we have the most to learn from, and those that we desperately need to hear,” Sen. Bam stressed.
 
“We have the opportunity and a duty to generate policies that contribute to a nation that is fair, just, and inclusive. We have a responsibility to create a Philippines where all Filipinos, even minorities and marginalized sectors can live free from discrimination,” he added.
 
Sen. Bam worked with poor communities on business projects as a social entrepreneur before becoming a senator in 2013.

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: May Pera sa Ube

Mga Kanegosyo, minsan ang tagumpay sa negosyo ay hindi lang pagsisikap ng isang tao.  Kailangang din ng tulong ng ibang tao, pribadong grupo o ahensiya ng gobyerno para magkaroon ng maasahang pagkukunan ng kita.

Ganito ang kuwento ng mga magsasaka sa Brgy. Catigan sa Toril, Davao del Sur, na nagsimula bilang tenant ng mga lupaing pinagtatamnan nila ng kamatis.

Dahil mahina ang kita, nabaon sila sa utang sa mga middleman na nagdadala ng kanilang produkto sa merkado.

Nagkaroon ng malaking pagbabago sa kanilang buhay noong 2006 nang magpasya ang isa sa mga may-ari ng lupa na ibigay na lamang sa kanila ang lupa.

***

Pumasok ang Gawad Kalinga at nagtayo ng mga bahay doon. Maliban dito, pinalakas din ng GK ang pagsasaka at tinuruan pa sila ng mga modernong pagsasaka.

Nagkataong naghahanap ng lupaing may malamig ang klima ang ilang malalaking negosyo para makapagtanim ng kamoteng ube.

Akmang-akma ang kanilang lupain para sa ube kaya namuhunan sa plantasyon ng ube at nangakong bibilhin ang ani ng mga magsasaka ng nasabing negosyo.

***

Hindi nagtagal ang malaking kumpanya at umalis din sa kanilang partnership.

Patuloy na umasa ang mga magsasaka sa kanilang ube. Patuloy silang nangarap na balang araw ay may bibili ng kanilang tanim na ube.

Tamang-tama at dumating ang Purple Passion para tulungan ang komunidad ng mga magsasaka.

Sinimulan nila ang Enchanted Jams.  Kumuha sila ng farming technician na nakagawa ng paraan kung paano aani ng ube ng buong taon.

Maliban sa pagbili ng ube sa mga magsasaka, binigyan din ng Purple Passion ang mga asawa ng mga magsasaka ng kabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo ng paggawa ng jam na kanilang ibebenta.

Ngayon, maliban sa pagbebenta ng kanilang produkto sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Davao, nagsu-supply din sila sa isang bakery ng 100 kilo ng ube jam kada buwan.

Tinitingnan din nila kung magiging mabenta ang powdered ube. May naghihintay ng exporter sa kanila upang bilhin ang kanilang produtko at dalhin sa ibang bansa ito.

***

Nakakatuwa ang kanilang kuwento, mga Kanegosyo.

Ang mga magsasakang dating naghihirap ay nagkaroon sila ng regular na kita at pangkabuhayan para sa kanilang mga pamilya.

Ang maganda sa kuwentong ito, maraming mga tao at grupo ang nagtulong-tulong sa ikatatagumpay ng negosyo.

Maliban sa Gawad Kalinga, nakatulong din ang Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sa pagbibigay ng training sa paggawa ng jam.

Nagbigay naman ang Department of Agriculture (DA) ng isang processing facility, isang cacao nursery at greenhouse para sa pagtatanim ng gulay upang magamit nang husto ang lupain.

Sa bahagi naman ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), binigyan sila ng kagamitan sa paggawa ng ube powder at kinonekta sila sa mga exporter na handang bumili ng kanilang produkto.

***

Kaya sa mga nais magnegosyo, huwag tayong matakot lumapit at humingi ng tulong sa mga mabubuting pribadong organisasyon gaya ng Gawad Kalinga, mga microfinance institution at mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan.

Makatutulong sila para mapalago ang ating negosyo at makapagbigay ng kabuhayan sa komunidad!

Defining the Filipino Youth: Sen. Bam’s Speech During the TAYO 13 Awarding Ceremony

Magandang umaga po, mga kaibigan, mga kababayan!

To all the judges, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to listen and guide our finalists.

To the mentors who shared their insightful experiences, maraming maraming salamat!

Sa mga partners and sponsors po ng TAYO 13 Awards, maraming salamat! San Miguel Corporation, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, SMART, Lenovo Philippines – our official I.T. partner, Cebu Pacific – our official airline partner, Greenwich Philippines and Jollibee Group Foundation… Thank you for betting on the Filipino youth and supporting their initiatives to make a difference in our country.

To the multimedia arts students of the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, napakaganda po ng mga videos! Thank you for helping us tell these inspiring stories. Palakpakan po natin sila!

To the team who put it all together, to the TAYO Foundation, to the Coca-Cola Foundation, members of the National Youth Commission, and members of my team in the Senate, congratulations on another successful TAYO Awards – the 13th! Thank you for all your hard work and sleepless nights!

And, finally… a heartfelt “thank you” to our beautiful, handsome, and, hopefully, not too nervous TAYO 13 finalists – the reason we are all here today.

Our dear finalists, welcome to Malacañan Palace, the setting of the final leg of your TAYO 13 journey… so take it all in. This is it!

This year’s TAYO Awards is held at a very important time in our country’s history. This year, we will choose our leaders.

Once again, we have the opportunity to place our vote on Filipinos we believe will lift the country to greater heights, not just for ourselves, not just for a chosen few, but for each and every Filipino – especially those that are living in poverty and isolation.

With reforms creeping into the different branches of government and progress within the reach of more and more Filipinos, this year’s referendum will determine whether we continue forging forward, retreat back, or hold the fort for the next 6 years.

And for the pivotal 2016 elections, we find that the vote of the Filipino youth is critical.

Sadly, many have low expectations of young Filipinos, believing that they would be easily swayed by propaganda, entertaining memes, and catchy jingles.

There are many who are doubtful of our young men and women, thinking that a constant barrage of advertisements and the popularity of a candidate’s endorsers are all it takes to win their favor.

There are many who question the ability of the Filipino youth to make earnest and wise decisions during these conspicuous times.

A lot has been said about the youth. Marami tayong naririnig tungkol sa kabataan. At karamihan sa ating naririnig ay nega.

Pinipili raw ng kabataang Pilipino ang mag-selfie at mag-facebook magdamag imbis na pakinggan ang magulang.

 Pinipili raw ng kabataang Pilipino ang mag-DOTA imbis na mag-aral.

Pinipili raw ng kabataang Pilipino ang malulon sa droga at sa bisyo sa halip na makatulong sa pamilya.

Ito ba talaga ang diwa ng kabataan Pilipino? Does this define the Filipino youth?

Let us not forget…

It was our young Filipinos that decided to rebel against foreign conquerors using, not only the art of war, but also the sway of a mighty pen to pierce hearts and win our freedom.

It was the Filipino Youth who decided to renounce fear and raise fists full of yellow daisies to an intimidating military, overthrowing a cruel dictator and mobilizing the most graceful revolution the world has ever seen.

When there is a destructive typhoon, catastrophic earthquake, or devastating flood, it is our young men and women that choose to band together to serve those in the trenches through rescue missions and relief efforts.

Time and time again, in our country’s history, young Filipinos choose wisely, choose selflessly, and choose with the Philippines at heart.

And today, I am addressing young men and women that have chosen to create change and have decided to make history by shaping the future.

The School of Law Advocacy and Community Enrichment (SOLACE) organization has chosen to protect the rights of forgotten Filipino detainees.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, the Philippine Junior Jaycees, Inc., decided to support the livelihood of farmers by conducting seminars, distributing farming supplies, and creating a contingency fund for the residents of Brgy. San Agustin, Palo, Leyte. 

Pinoy Malkhain uses the power of creativity and entertainment to transform the lives of orphans and street children while the Kanlaon Theater Guild uses the same talent to better educate communities on disaster risk reduction and management.

Propelling our Inherited Nation through our Youth (POINTY) and I am Making A Difference (I am M.A.D.) both endeavor to mold the youth into productive members and leaders within our society.

We have the Youth Sports Advocacy Philippines Inc. using sports to instill good values and develop responsible citizens while the UP Circle of Industrial Engineering Majors (UP CIEM) hopes to develop livelihood for more Filipino families.

Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute (ECCRI)-De La Salle Araneta University developed and distributed a device to detect oncoming floods while the Instrumentation and Control Student Society’s (ICSS) invention guards against fires.

The Tobog Youth Organization drastically improved day care facilities in their barangay and students of the University of San Carlos continues to ignite the love for reading in remote public elementary schools.

UP ALCHEMES and the UP Chemical Engineering Society encourages the use of science and technology to solve societal problems while BNCHS-YECS develops entrepreneurial skills as they address the needs of their fellow students.

Keep Hope Alive enhances the living conditions of Mangyan communities in Oriental Mindoro while Youth Working for Change brings together young Filipinos from areas of conflict to provide much-needed water systems to communities in Basilan.

Finally, we have young men and women from Rebirth Outdoors Trekkers and Adventurers (ROTA) using their love for trekking to raise funds for health care while their fellow adventurers, the Tanay Mountaineers, employ charcoal briquetting to improve the health of communities while also protecting the environment.

Each and every one of you deserves a hearty round of applause!

Faced with our TAYO 13 finalists, how can one say that the Filipino youth cannot choose wisely, cannot choose selflessly, cannot choose for the country?

You, all of you, are the reason I can say to all these detractors, all the naysayers, and all those that are cynical about the Filipino youth… I can proudly say to them that young men and women from across the Philippines can make, will make, and are making better decisions for our country, for our future.

Today, I am honored to stand before the exemplars of Filipino youth.

 

Today, I am humbled to stand before young men and women that show the country, and the world, what Filipinos are made of and what every young Filipino can become.

Today, we celebrate the true spirit of the Filipino youth that is alive within each and every one of us – a bright spirit that lives deep within every Filipino, young and old.

Muli, maraming, maraming salamat sa inspirasyon! Mabuhay ang kabataang Pilipino!

 

 
 
 
 

Sen. Bam urges youth to be agents of change in May elections

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the Filipino youth to be agents of change as the country selects its next set of leaders in May 2016.
 
The senator made this call during the 13th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) awarding ceremony at Malacañan Palace Thursday.
 
“Once again, we have the opportunity to place our vote on Filipinos we believe will lift the country to greater heights, not just for ourselves, not just for a chosen few, but for each and every Filipino – especially those that are living in poverty and isolation,” said Sen. Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth
 
Sen. Bam stressed that the vote of the Filipino youth is critical, with 40 percent of total voters falling within the age of 18 and 30 years old.
 
“Sadly, many have low expectations of young Filipinos, believing that they would be easily swayed by propaganda, entertaining memes, and catchy jingles,” the senator said.
 
TAYO 13 winners

TAYO 13 winners

 
Sen. Bam also encouraged the youth to erase this notion and silence doubters by “choosing wisely, choosing selflessly, and choosing with the Philippines at heart.
 
At the same time, Sen. Bam hailed the 19 TAYO finalists, calling them “exemplars of Filipino youth”.
 
“You, all of you, are the reason I can say to all these detractors… that young men and women from across the Philippines can and will make better decisions for our country, for our future,” Sen. Bam said.
 
This year’s TAYO 13 winners are the School of Law Advocacy and Community Enrichment of University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City, I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference), Inc. from Mandaluyong City, Tanay Mountaineers from Rizal, Kanlaon Theater Guild from Bacolod City;
 
Environment and Climate Change Research Institute of De La Salle Araneta University in Malabon City, Keep Hope Alive Mansalay from Oriental Mindoro, Youth Sports Advocacy from Quezon City, Bayugan National Comprehensive High School of YECS Bayugan City, Tobog Youth Organization from Oas, Albay and UP ALCHEMES (Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students) from Quezon City.
 
TAYO 13 finalists
 
The winners of the TAYO People’s Choice Awards are I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference), Inc. for Culture and the Arts, Peace and Human Development,  UP ALCHEMES (Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students) for Education and Technology, TUP Instrumentation and Controls Students’ Society (City of Manila) for Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, Youth Sports Advocacy (Quezon City) for Health, Nutrition and Well-being and  Philippine Junior Jaycees – Tacloban Sinirangan Chapter for Livelihood and Entrepreneurship.
 
 

Sen. Bam: SK Reform Act sparks hope for an anti-political dynasty law

The country now has its first law with an anti-political dynasty provision with President Aquino’s signing of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“The passing of the SK Reform Act reflects our vote of confidence in the Filipino youth’s ability to lead and participate in our country’s development,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Youth.

 Last Jan. 15, the Chief Executive has signed into law Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act, which was co-authored and co-sponsored by Sen. Bam.

“This has the potential to effect genuine change in our electoral system when it comes to youth representation. In fact, it is the first of our laws with an anti-political dynasty provision,” added Sen. Bam.

Under the new law, relatives of elected or appointed officials up to the 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity are prohibited from seeking SK posts.

Aside from its anti-dynasty provision, the new law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions 

Sangguniang Kabataan officials will now be required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

 “The LYDC aims to harmonize, broaden and strengthen all programs and initiatives of the local government and non-governmental organizations for the youth sector,” said Sen. Bam, former chair of the National Youth Commission and youngest senator of the 16th Congress. 

With the enactment of the SK Reform Act into law, Sen. Bam expects a future with a larger, more diverse, and more capable set of public servants in the Sangguniang Kabataan.

Driving Philippine taxis forward

As you read this, there might be yet another story about an altercation between a passenger and a taxi driver.

I find this quite startling because back in the day, when I rode taxis to get to and from meetings, I had great experiences traveling around the Metro and even looked forward to picking up some wisdom from my driver’s many stories.

Reports these days are worrying to the riding public as many have expressed their discontent with their taxi experiences on social media, even filing complaints to the LTFRB.

It seems the relationship between driver and passenger has turned toxic, exacerbating the already infuriating issue of Metro Manila traffic.

Frustrated taxi drivers, scraping for sufficient pay, unload their dissatisfaction on passengers and, in turn, passengers become increasingly suspicious and more likely to shift to ride-sharing – the taxi industry’s new archenemy.

However, all is not lost on this front and there are still stories of pleasant cab experiences circulating on the Web. Stories like that of Mr. Eugenio Estrella, a 63-year-old taxi driver who takes any passenger and even refuses tips, has garnered over 100,000 shares on Facebook.

This is in direct contrast to the stories of drivers berating passengers and is, instead, an example of what a Filipino driver could and should be. Well-mannered cab drivers who value their passengers and play by the rules should be the norm rather than the exception.

But a lot of drivers have long been complaining about insufficient income for the amount of time and energy they spend chauffeuring passengers.

They earn their pay through the boundary system with a ‘boundary’ or set quota paid to the taxi company, which ranges from P1,200 to P1,700 every 24 hours depending on the make of their vehicle. On top of this, they also assume the fuel and other daily expenses.

Taxi drivers have no choice but to work for as many hours as they can in a day to shoulder the boundary and gas expenses while still earning enough to sustain their family.

The boundary system has long ruled the Philippine public transport arena – an area in our development that, we all know, leaves much to be desired. Perhaps it is time to rethink the system and introduce effectual reforms.

Today, there is an undercurrent of Filipinos waiting to see change in the industry and are eager to adopt new technologies and systems, even willing to pay a premium for convenience and security.

To improve the Philippine taxi experience and to ensure the security and convenience the riding public is clamoring for, drivers must be offered a fair shake through a fair process.

Finally, with the advent of ridesharing services, we are seeing novel income arrangements as drivers and car-owners utilize profit-sharing or percentage-of-revenue schemes that are favorable to both parties.

Perhaps this is why we see Filipinos gravitating to ridesharing services like Uber and GrabCar; because they offer an innovative system, security, convenience, and satisfaction to passengers while providing a better option for our drivers.

When we look at the rise of new systems to replace the old, there is a period of resistance wherein proponents of the old system fight any form of change.

But through this tension, we can also hope for a period of realization where there is recognition of the need to rid longstanding structures of the pieces that hold it back from keeping relevant with the times.

Maybe with more equitable sharing systems for drivers, the end benefit will be to the riding public – that they can finally enjoy a safe, reliable, and comfortable commuting experience.

First Published on Manila Bulletin

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Giyera ng mga Tsaa

Mga Kanegosyo, paksa ng ating nakaraang kolum ang “Bayani Brew” ni Ron Dizon, na isa sa pumapatok na produktong inumin sa bansa ngayon.

Ngayon, tatalakayin naman natin ang mga hamong hinarap ni Ron at kanyang mga kasama upang maihatid ang kanilang produkto sa mga outlet at maabot ang mamimili.

Bilang kumpanyang nagtitinda ng inumin, aminado si Ron na isa sa mga hamon ay ang kawalan nila ng sariling tindahan o stall.

Kaya malaking bagay ang relasyon nila sa mga partner outlets, lalo na ang malalaking clients.

Aniya, malaking bagay din ang tulong ng kapwa social entrepreneurs at kapwa mga bagong negosyante upang maipakilala ang kanilang produkto.

Mas maganda sa ibang partner, kaunting patong lang sa orihinal na presyo ang kanilang inilalagay sa produkto upang maakit pa ang mamimili na tikman ang “Bayani Brew”.

Isa sa mga haligi ng “Bayani Brew” ay ang kanilang distribution system, na sa ngayon ay kinakaya nilang gawin sa tulong ng isang van.

Dati, kung may usapang toll fee na, hirap sila sa pagde-deliver ng kanilang produkto sa malalayong lugar.

Ngayon, nakahanap na rin sila ng mga partner na magdadala at magbebenta ng produkto sa Metro Manila, Cebu at Davao.

***

Isa rin sa target nila ang maipakalat ang produkto sa buong Pilipinas at madala ito sa ibang bansa.

Sa ngayon, malaking hamon ang dalawang buwang shelf life ng “Bayani Brew” na nagiging hadlang sa pagdadala ng produkto sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa.

Pero pinag-iisipan na nilang makipagtulungan sa mga probinsiya upang doon na mismo gawin ang kanilang iced tea.

Sa pamamagitan nito, mas madali na ang pagdadala at distribution ng produkto hanggang sa malalayong lugar sa bansa.

Pinag-aaralan na rin nila ang pagkakaroon ng iba pang flavor na mula rin sa lokal na mga halaman.

 

***

Ayon sa kanya, sa pamamagitan ng “Bayani Brew,” natupad niya ang pangarap na tumulong sa maraming manggagawa, lalo na sa magsasaka.

Sa kanilang kumikitang pangkabuhayan, buong taon na ang kita ng mga magsasaka dahil madali lang itanim at tumubo ang tanglad at talbos ng kamote.

Ang maganda pa rito, ang pagtatanim ng tanglad at talbos ng kamote ay puwedeng isabay ng mga magsasaka sa kanilang karaniwang tanim gaya ng palay o mais.

***

Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok, hamon at hirap, wala siyang katiting na pagsisisi nang umalis siya sa IT company at sinimulan ang “Bayani Brew”.

Aniya, punumpuno ng kagalakan ang kanyang buhay sa ngayon, lalo pa’t marami siyang natutulungang mga tao sa pamamagitan ng kanilang negosyo!

When trolls and propagandists occupy the Internet

My name is Bambi and I am a young street dancer awakened by the twerking movement of the 70s… That is, according to Wikipedia before we changed the text back to my true, albeit less vivacious, biography.

Apparently, I have what is now known as an Internet troll changing my Wikipedia page regularly.

My troll made me a Ninja Turtle a few times in the past and, though that is extremely flattering, I unfortunately don’t have the martial arts skills to back it up.

In the curious case of Bam’s Wikipedia page, the untruth is so outrageous that it’s clearly unbelievable.

But in other cases, it is not so easy to distinguish fact from fiction or, dare I say, propaganda.

These days, there are people whose job is to sway public opinion on social media, whether it’s a strategic communications campaign or a swarm of troll accounts flooding a comments section.

While creativity and innovation in marketing and communications is more than welcome, untruth and ill intentions are not easily detected.

The biggest phenomena of the Internet age, social media and search engines, incorporate paid advertising to the user experience and now, money can buy eyeballs as well as people to produce bots and troll accounts to post, like, share, and comment incessantly. Click on a regular troll on any popular Facebook page and you may find him or her lacking a true identity.

Online manipulation

This is a difficult pill to swallow when a large part of me prefers to engage people who genuinely agree or disagree, and are not being paid to do so.

There is a lot of manipulation happening online.

A far cry from the free marketplace of ideas that we envisioned the Internet to be, it has transformed into a lawless arena where gladiators compete for our likes, shares, eyeballs, clicks, and money by whatever means possible.

When we first discovered the World Wide Web, people celebrated the idea that anyone and everyone could use it as a venue to speak out, to share information, to formulate opinions and generate insightful discussions.

We found a space without propaganda or advertising, free from the control and influence of powerful politicians and wealthy businesses.

Today, what we have is a battleground of messages ceaselessly pushing us to buy a product, watch a video, share a meme, or vote for a particular candidate.

The boon and the bane of the Internet is the freedom it provides. Anyone can share information and go viral like the Al-Dub phenomenon and our DOTA2 related post about Team Rave that was shared 3,445 times!

This freedom also allows anyone to mask lies as truth and post it a hundred times from a hundred different accounts until it worms into your psyche.

Campaign season

So how do we take back the Internet?

Should we look at regulation to control trolling or do we leave it up to the websites to ban abusive language and verify identities?

Do we just tune out when confronted with abrasive comments, potentially ignoring opposing ideas that are worth our consideration?

Do we doubt everything we see online and limit our network to a curated circle, wasting the potential of an open, diverse, unpredictable debate?

Will we end up restricting our use of the Internet to that of self-expression?

How do we take the Internet back from the paid trolls and propagandists, especially during the campaign season where candidates have the machinery to invade both traditional and social media?

In our case, we take back our Wikipedia page by checking it everyday and updating it as often as possible. Perhaps, as users, more diligence is required when absorbing information.

Maybe there is a need to evolve our thinking – to be more analytical, to sift through the barrage of messages on the World Wide Web before we come to our own conclusions.

Bambi’s fearless forecast? The more trolls and propagandists attempt to take the Internet away from us, the more we will put up our own filters, exclude them from our circles, take their comments with a pinch of salt and heaps of humor, and find ways to generate free and open spaces for genuine dialogue and exchange of ideas.

First Published on Rappler.com

TRANSCRIPT: Bam on Leni Robredo, Negosyo Centers

Transcript of Interview in General Santos City, 11 January 2016

 

Q: Unang una po sa lahat Sen. Bam, kumusta po kayo? Ano po ang mahalagang bagay sa pagpunta ninyo dito sa Socsargen ang tinitingnan ninyo?

 

Sen. Bam: Opo. Nagbabalik po tayo dito sa General Santos. Kagabi po tayo ang guest speaker sa Hinugyaw Festival ng Koronadal, ito po ang panghuling gabi nila. Nagkaroon po ng napakasayang street dancing, at tayo po ang special guest po doon, at natutuwa po kami at nakabalik kami sa Koronadal gaya po sa General Santos. 

 

Parang dalawang taon na bago tayo makabalik and we’re happy to be back. Kitang kita po napakaraming pagbabago po dito. Napakaraming mga bagong building, mga bagong highway.  Napakalawak at nagulat din ako. Just happy to be back dito sa napakagandang Socsargen. 

 

Ngayon po na pasimula na po ang session namin sa Senado, magsisimula na po next week.  Mayroon pa po kaming tatlong linggo para itulak ang mahahalagang batas na nakabinbin pa. 

 

In the past 2 ½ years, nakaka 8 laws na din po tayo. Ang una po nating batas ay ang Go Negosyo Law, nagbubuo po ito ng mga negosyo sa iba’t ibang lugar. 

 

Dito po sa General Santos, sa DTI building, mayroon po tayong Negosyo Center dito. Ito po ang negosyo center na may pinakamaraming na-train na maliliit na negosyante.  Over 5,000 po dito po sa General Santos kaya po natutuwa naman po kami. 

 

Nasa Koronadal po kami kagabi mayroon na din pong bagong negosyo center po doon. Iyon po ang laman ng Go Negosyo Law po natin.

 

Q: So marami pong nagkabenepisyo na po? 

 

Sen. Bam: Well sa Koronadal 3 weeks old pa lang siya. December 31 po siya itinayo, pero ang dito po sa GenSan May pa last year. I think over 5,000-6,000 na ang natutulungan. 

 

In the Philipines mayroon na tayong 130 na Negosyo Centers and this is because of the Go Negosyo Law natin. 

 

This year 2016, magkakaroon pa tayo ng dagdag pa. Ang total po by the end of this year 2016, magiging 300 Negosyo Centers na tumutulong po sa mga maliliit nating negosyante. 

 

Q: Sen. Bam, ang balita po namin kayo po ang campaign manager ng LP, at lalong lalo na po kay vice presidential candidate na si Cong. Leni. 

 

Sen. Bam: Opo ako po. Well nag volunteer po ako at naatasan din na maging campaign manager ni Cong. Leni Robredo at natutuwa naman po ako na maging kasama sa kanyang balak na pagtakbo na VP ng ating bansa. 

 

Tingin po namin siya po yung pinaka mainam at pinakamaayos at pinaka-deserving na maging VP po ng ating bansa. 

 

Q: Kasi dito sa GenSan hindi pa masyadong kilala si Cong. Leni Robredo. Anong klaseng congressman po siya or ano po ang background niya? 

 

Sen. Bam: Actually sa totoo po si Cong. Leni, siya po ang pinakabagong national face na lumabas, October lang po siya nagdeklara. 

 

Alam ko din po ang kanyang asawa na si Jesse Robredo malapit po sa mga mayors and governors dito sa Mindanao, in fact sa Koronadal po may Jesse Robredo Avenue na nakapangalan sa kanya. 

 

But more than that, siya po ay isang tao na matagal nang nagtrabaho sa komunidad. Matagal na nagtrabaho kasama ang mahihirap sa ating bansa. Naging isang abugado sa Public Attorney’s Office, libre pong pagbibigay ng mga pagdedepensa sa mga kababayan nating nasasakdal na walang pera.

 

Sumama po siya sa Saligan, again nagbibigay po ng tulong, tulong ligal na libre sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda, katutubo.  Iyon din po ang klase ng kanyang liderato. 

 

Doon po talaga sa mga tao, sa mga komunidad, wala pong pag-aatubiling tumulong sa mga nangangailangan sa ating bayan. 

 

Q: Ano po ang mga plataporma po ni Cong. Leni?

 

Sen. Bam: Well hindi po lalayo sa kanyang karanasan na pgtulong sa ating mga kababayan. Una po riyan ang economic empowerment po sa mga kababaihan. Siya lang po ang babaeng tumatakbo na VP, so naka-focus po ang economic empowerment pagdating po sa mga kababaihan at pagtulong po na magkaroon ng trabaho at negosyo.

 

Iyong pangalawa po riyan ay ang paglaban po sa gutom.  Kasi ang hunger lalo na sa rural country side natin ay napakatindi pa rin.  So ang paglaban po riyan gamit ang ating kultura at gamit po ang tulong sa ating mga kababayan na nasa kanayunan. 

 

Ang pangatlo po pagsisigurado na ang ating kanayunan ay umunlad. Kasi po sa Metro Manila sa totoo lang napaka-congested na.  Napansin ko rin dito may traffic na rin po. 

 

Kita naman po natin na malakas ang traffic dahil ang ating development ang naka-concentrate sa mga siyudad.  Dapat po ang mga kanayunan natin ay mayroon ding development para po ang mga kababayan natin, hindi na kailangan pumunta pa sa mga siyudad. O di kaya ay mahanap nila ang mga kanilang hinahanap doon sa kanilang nilalagyan. 

 

Ang Naga po in the 19 years na panunungkulan po ni Sec. Jesse, nag-transform po ang Naga, mula sa isang 6th class municipality, naging isang siyudad. 

 

Nakita po roon na hindi na kailangan pumunta ng Maynila upang makakuha pa ng oportunidad. Doon mismo sa Naga, nagawan na nila ng paraan para umunlad ang kanayunan, naging very successful, naging progressive.  

 

At ang mga tao po roon, doon na nila nakita ang kanilang kasaganahan. 

 

That’s another thing na binibigyan po niya ng pansin. Ang mga pagtulong po sa mga provinces natin, cities, municipalities na wala sa Metro Manila na magkaroon ng sapat na tulong upang sila mismo umunlad din. 

 

Alam ninyo po, si PNoy kasama ko rin, hindi naman po kami pipili ng hindi makakatulong sa ating bansa. Kami po napaka-excited po namin sa kampanyang ito. 

 

Naniniwala po kami na siya ang the best and most deserving po na makakuha ng tulong sa ating susunod na eleksyon. I’m very excited to work with Cong. Leni Robredo and Sec. Roxas as well. 

 

Q: May mensahe po ba kayo sa GenSan at sa Mindanao?

 

Sen Bam: Ako naman po hindi naman ako tatakbo. Campaign Manager. 

 

Kasi ang palaging batikos sa amin ang mga tumatakbo pumupunta lamang sila pag eleksyon. Ako po hindi po ako tumatakbo pero nandito po ako. 

 

Unang una, para masigurado ang mga programang tinutulak namin ang totoo. Ang Negosyo Center po, iyan ang laman ng aking unang batas, iyong Go Negosyo Law. 

 

Sinisigurado po natin na bawat lugar functioning hindi lang po magandang building, kaya po dito sa GenSan, sa DTI siya nakabase.

 

Sana po puntahan ninyo po kung kailangan ninyo ng trainings, paghahanap ng pondo, mga bilihin sa mga merkado.  Pumunta po kayo para ma-avail ninyo po ang services sa negoso centers natin. 

 

Kung hindi po maganda ang experiences ninyo, pakisabi po sa Facebook page kasi mino-monitor po natin. Kung maganda po ang experiences ninyo, sabihin niyo rin po sa amin para mabigyan naman natin ng complement yung mga centers po natin. 

 

Dito po sa Socsargen, nakita po natin na very active ang pagnenegosyo. Ang maliliit na negosyo kailangan natin tulungan upang maging stable, sustainable, at maging mas malaking negosyo. 

 

Iyon naman po ang naging pangako natin 2 ½ years ago at itutuloy po natin yan. So ako po, I just hope na makakabalik po ako ulit at sana sa pagbalik natin mas makita pa natin ang kaularan especially po sa mga small business owners natin. 

 

In the next election sana po piliin natin ang tutulong talaga sa ating mga kababayan especially po nasa ibaba, nasa labas, at nasa laylayan ng lipunan, iyong mga nangangailangan sana po piliin natin mabuti ang ating leader. 

 

Iyong puso po nila nasa mahihirap sa ating bansa. Salamat po.

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